The Psychopharmacology and Geriatrics course (15 hours or 1 credit) is designed for students wishing to gain an in-depth knowledge of a variety of mental health disorders and the use of psychotropic medication in their treatment, specifically as it pertains to the elderly population. Students will become acquainted with the primary symptoms that encompass several disorders frequently seen in geriatric clients, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, delirium, dementia, schizophrenia and substance-use disorders. Etiologies and risk factors will be discussed as well as the differential diagnoses that one must be aware of when assessing an elderly client. Finally, students will learn the primary psychotropic medications used in the treatment of these disorders and possible side effects that mental health clinicians must be aware of when working with elderly clients.
DBN Elite is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. DBN Elite maintains responsibility for the program.
Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to…
The course lecture will be available online DBN Elite. Students will be assessed twice throughout the course. They will be asked to complete a case study assignment and complete a final exam.
The course is pass/fail, no numeric grade will be provided, however, a passing grade is 75%.
–Assignment (60%): You will be asked to submit a case study assignment after the completion of the lecture. Assignment instructions and rubric will be posted on the DBN Elite website.
The assignment will consist of 3 clinical cases for which you have to demonstrate your knowledge. Your response to each case should be 500 words and should draw upon the material presented in the lecture and the required readings.
Each response should be structured in the following manner:
**Note that for each case, you will be provided with questions that should be answered in your responses. This information will be available to you as you are completing the assignment.
Other guidelines to follow:
-Use the required textbooks to support your analysis. Quotes are not required, however, you should summarize and apply key concepts
-You will not be required to use additional resources, however, any reference made to the textbook should be cited in accordance with APA standards
Physiological changes in the elderly and pharmacology
Delirium
Dementia
Schizophrenia and paranoid disorders
Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Substance use disorders
Sleep disorders
Segment 6: Pre-recorded Q&A Exercise
