Date: June 26, 2023
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: In Person
Gilman Park Assisted Living
2205 Gilman Dr, Oregon City, OR 97045
Topic: Wishing for Death: Psychological distress in older adults
Persistent thoughts of suicide or intense wishes for death are not a normal part of aging but can be a common experience among older adults living with chronic illness, debility, isolation, and cumulative loss. How do we provide care to clients experiencing extreme psychological pain and how do we protect ourselves from compassion fatigue in the process? Learn the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide in older adults and how to assess for risk of harm. Learn how to use empathy, reflective listening and validation to respond to verbal expressions of a desire to die. If thoughts become actions, learn how to reduce risk of harm. Learn about compassion fatigue and what support is needed for the direct care workforce. Get information on treatment, resources, and supportive options for end-of-life.
Speaker: Kera Magarill
Kera Magarill holds degrees in human service, non-profit management and has received specialized training in music therapy and dementia care. After completing a program in gerontology with Metropolitan State University in Denver, she began serving on faculty as an instructor in Aging Leadership and Health Professions. Kera has worked across the long term care continuum in adult day, in-home care, memory care, and nursing home care. She started volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado and eventually served on staff as an Early Stage Program Coordinator during which time she launched a statewide creative engagement program with museums, arts, and other cultural partners. She has also contributed as a writer to Activity Connection’s dementia programming publication for activity and programming professionals. She is honored to be serving her community in her current role as an Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist with Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services.
Important information about CEU Credits: Oregon Health Authority no longer pre-approves CEU’s. Go to https://bit.ly/2to0nwB to determine if this presentation will count towards annual CEU requirement for Nursing and Residential Care administrators.