The first section covers aging population trends, multiculturalism and the elderly, and consumer direction (a best-practice based approach to delivering home and community-based services to older adults). The second section reviews several theories on aging and human development. Together these sections provide a foundation for understanding the extraordinary challenges and opportunities facing older adults today.

Subsequent sections focus on the challenges of older adulthood; working with older adults; and the opportunities of older adulthood. These areas address issues of clinical relevance for practitioners working with older adults today. A combination of reflective exercises, illustrative vignettes, and review questions are woven into the course to enhance clinical knowledge and skills in the field of aging and long-term care.

The pre-license requirement is ten (10) hours in Aging and Long-Term Care for those who entered a MSW program on or after 1/1/2004. For all others, this is not a pre-licensure requirement.

To obtain the required 10 hours, registrants can take the following online courses through two NASW Web sites:

The NASW-CA Chapter Online Program

(1) Working Effectively with Older Adults in a Changing World (3-hours)

(2) Aging and Long-term Care: Challenges for the Third Millennium (3-hours)

(3) Understanding Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse and Neglect (4-hours)

License Renewal Requirement

This course meets the one-time license renewal requirement that LCSWs and MFTs obtain a one-time three (3) hours in Aging and Long-term Care. For further information about license renewal requirements, please visit the CA State Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) Web site at www.bbs.ca.gov and under continuing education.

Continuing Education or Professional Development

This course is designed for those who work with aging clients or those who wish to learn about this client population.

As a result of completing this course, registrants will:

1. Be able to identify current population trends in aging and several contemporary maturation theories, e.g., who and/or what represents old.



2. Be able to identify the core elements of a geriatric assessment.



3. Be able to cite why depression in older adults often goes untreated and what the consequences are of untreated depression.



4. Be able to identify several key referrals and/or support services necessary to assist an older individual with dementia symptoms who wishes to remain in his or her home.