Suicide Prevention and Screening for Substance Misuse in the Elderly
2026-09-24 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
Overview
Substance Use Disorders and Suicide are a significant problem in the elderly population.
As this segment of the population continues to grow, we can expect to see more elderly patients with issues in which they turn to substances or depression that leads to suicidal thoughts or attempts. Studies have shown that elderly patients with Substance Use Disorders have very good outcomes when diagnosed and treatment is initiated. It is important for clinicians to be knowledgeable about the clinical presentation, methods of screening, and assessment of Substance Use Disorders within our elderly clients. The goal is timely interventions and referral to appropriate care so quality of life can be preserved. Evidence based Screening Tools for suicide and substance use will be shared.
Brief Intervention in the form of education to the client will be reviewed and practice within the session using readily available tools from reputable government resources.
Learning Objectives

Identify the process of screening, brief interventions and referral to treatment for elders with substance use disorders
Describe evidence-based screening tools appropriate in Care of the Elderly
Recognize Common Substance Use Disorders in persons over age 65

Who Should Attend?
Providers across the senior care continuum—from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing, life plan communities, home health, adult day, hospice, and community-based services. This program is designed for administrators, nurses, activities, social services and all leadership.
CEUs pending.
Location
Online.
Virtual Link: Class Material and Zoom link will be sent two days prior
Faculty
Ingrid M. Provident Ed.D, OTR/L, FAOTA, is a National Education Specialist, for Select Rehabilitation. Dr. Provident has held positions of Program coordinator, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Associate Professor at major Universities in Pittsburgh PA.
Ingrid is a highly engaging speaker who holds clinical degrees in Occupational Therapy and Educational Leadership. She has worked in multiple practice settings with the adult and geriatric populations. Ingrid has been an educator in formal academic settings and presented in more than 90 state, national and international venues. Dr. Provident is trained and certified in Mindfulness, Dementia Care and has facilitated multiple presentations on wellness, communication, and interventions for quality health care. She is a published author and mentor with a passion for assisting in the development of professionals.

Dementia Leadership Course
2026-11-18 10:15 - 14:15, 2026-11-20 10:15 - 14:15, 2026-12-02 10:15 - 14:15, 2026-12-04 10:15 - 14:15
For over 20 years, LeadingAge Illinois and Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center have offered the Dementia Leadership Course, a comprehensive educational series intended to provide Dementia Leaders with information they need to develop their skills and grow in their roles.
Dementia experts have recently re-designed this interactive program and added an ongoing networking component. The course provides a framework to teach the specialized skills and competencies needed to provide exceptional dementia services.
Upon completion of the course, participants will join the Dementia Leadership Network. Through a private forum, the Network will offer resources and training material to use for staff education, and allow participants to continue to interact, connect, share ideas, and ask questions.
Topics Include:
Leadership and Dementia Care
Update on Dementia
Ability Centered Care
Recognizing the Whole Person
Being an Expert in the Larger Community
Living with Dementia
Date & Time
Attendees will meet 4 times virtually via Zoom:
November 18 & 20 and December 2 & 4, 2026
10:15 am – 2:15 pm each day
Who Should Attend?
Directors of Alzheimer’s Special Care Units and Memory Care Programs, Staff Educators, Nurse Managers, Therapists, Social Workers, Life Enrichments Directors, Chaplains, CNAs, Home Care, Adult Day Care, Memory Care staff, Dietary personnel, and Administrators. Appropriate for skilled nursing, assisted living, and home and community-based services.
Course Requirements
Each attendee must be logged into his/her own computer that has sound and video camera capabilities.
Fees
$259 per person for all 4 sessions
