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The Dementia & Sexual Health Certification Course is only offered LIVE a couple of times a year.
The Problem
So often, when a person with dementia expresses their sexuality, there are lots of questions and dilemmas with no clear answers, like:
- Can the person consent to intimacy?
- Do the intimate partners misidentify the other for a spouse/partner?
- How much of a role should family members (and other stakeholders) have in sexual health decisions?
- How do we help staff navigate their own values related to sexual health?
- How do you differentiate between healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviors?
- Are we doing the right thing for the people we care for or are we causing more harm?
The Solution
In our dementia and sexual health certification course, you'll learn:
- Steps for developing a sexual health policy for your organization
- A process for conducting a sexual health assessment
- Guidelines for determining sexual consent
- Tools to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy sexual expression
- Strategies for talking with staff and family members about dementia and sexual health
- Training to help you understand and include the unique needs of LGTBQ older adults
- Tools for understanding our own values and biases so that they don't interfere with decision making
- Guidance in preventing and responding to sexual exploitation
... and so much more.
Dementia & Sexual Health Certification Course
Comprehensive training program to help Dementia Care Practitioners honor an individual living with dementia’s right to sexual expression and while maintaining safety for that individual and others.
When: 2023 dates have not been decided yet. Get on the waitlist to be the first to know when doors open
Where: Live Synchronous Interactive Webinar (via ZOOM)
What: 15 Continuing Education (CE) Credit/15 CMC Contact Hours - YOU MUST ATTEND LIVE TO EARN CEs
Course Description: This comprehensive certification course will review benefits & risks of sexual expression among individuals living with dementia and complexities related to sexual expression, including hyper-sexuality knowledge of the sex partner, and capacity to consent. This workshop will review current peer-reviewed research describing the sexual expression of residents within long-term care communities (and the dilemma between the human need for affection and sexual expression versus the policies and regulations of care facilities.
Common attitudes toward sexual expression in long-term care will be reviewed. Participants will be encouraged to assess their own value system related to aging and sexuality and sexual expression in the context of dementia using the Staff Attitudes about Intimacy and Dementia Survey (SAID; Kuhn, 2002). Workshop will then explore ways in which an individual’s values surrounding sexual expression may vary from family members’ (decision making surrogate’s) values, as well as a residential system/institutional policies or values.
Current guidelines for determining sexual decision-making capacity will be reviewed and applied and vignettes and case studies will be used to challenge participants to think deeply about ethical and moral dilemmas that arise in the process of sexual consent and decision-making. Participants will be given guidelines for developing a sexual health policy and strategies for working with stakeholders (e.g., people living with dementia, family members, staff, etc).
This program will help participants identify ways that they may be consciously and unconsciously reinforcing ableism, ageism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and other forms of oppression. The program provides tools and recommendations for dismantling these systems of oppression and promoting inclusion and equity for all people as well as recommendations for protecting human rights and dignity within LTC systems.
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Learning Objectives: After attending this 15-hour program in full, participants will be able to:
- Describe rates of sexual activity among older adults and attitudes about Attitudes about sexual health and aging among older adults, health care professionals, and others
- Illustrate the experiences, needs, and resilience factors of LGTBQ older adults and LGTBQ adults with dementia.
- List 5 benefits & 5 risks of intimacy in context of dementia disorders, diminished capacity, and long-term care settings.
- Identify 3 key points related to sexuality and sexual health in nursing homes based on research surveying nursing homes
- Examine family dynamics and emotional responses regarding dementia and sexual expression and the role of family influence on resident sexuality
- Evaluate one’s own value system related to aging and sexuality and sexual expression in the context of dementia
- Apply current evidence-based guidelines for determining the capacity of an individual to consent to sexual interaction in the context of dementia and diminished capacity.
- Analyze 3 ethical dilemmas as they relate to sexual expression, decision making, and long-term care community policies and guidelines.
- List 3 recommendations for balancing an individual’s right to sexual expression, autonomy, and privacy with duty to protect
- Create a sexual health policy using a 7-step framework for long-term care communities
- Apply strategies for managing hypersexuality and inappropriate behaviors in the context of dementia
- Identify appropriate versus inappropriate sexual behaviors in the context of dementia and gain tools to effectively respond to sexual assault and abuse
Target Audience: This certification course is open to all Nursing Home Administrators, Long-Term Care Executives, Psychologists, Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Aging Life Care Experts, and other interested mental health and senior care professionals.
This program is intended for those with an intermediate level of knowledge and experience related to this content.
Continuing Education Approvals: See below for continuing education approvals
About the presenter
Regina Koepp, PsyD, ABPP
Dr. Regina Koepp is a board certified clinical psychologist, clinical geropsychologist, founder of the Center for Mental Health & Aging, and Vice Chair of the Georgia Psychological Association Ethics Committee. She is a sought-after speaker related to dementia and sexual expression from LeadingAge, Alzheimer’s Association, American Parkinson Disease Association, and other professional groups.
Prior to founding the Center for Mental Health & Aging, Dr. Koepp was an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and former staff psychologist at the Atlanta VA Health Care System, where she provided direct patient care and consultation on the Geropsychiatry Outpatient Mental Health team for more than a decade. She was also professor for several years at the Brenau University Masters in Applied Gerontology Program.
Dr. Koepp earned her doctorate at the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Emory University Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences where she won the Richard W. Morrell Community Commitment Award.
How It Works
Participants will have their participation registered through Center for Mental Health & Aging. This program is available for fifteen (15) continuing education (CE) credits after the following steps have been successfully completed:
Step 1: Register & mark your calendar for the 5-week course.
Step 2: Once inside the course, watch the welcome video and read course details
Step 3: Attend 100% of the LIVE course. Attendance is tracked each day and required for CEs
Step 4: Complete the Program Evaluation
Step 5: Complete Attestation
Step 6: Download Your Certificate
Certificates of completion will be emailed immediately following submission of electronic survey and also available for download in the course platform. It's that simple!
Certification Course
Here's a peek inside the course
- Module 1 Videos (143:31)
- Powerpoint Slides
- Resources
- 1-2pm EST: Rates of sexual activity among older adults; Attitudes about sexual health and aging among older adults, health care professionals, and others; STDs among older adults
- 2-2:30pm EST: Understanding the experiences, needs, and resilience factors of LGTBQ older adults
- 2:30-2:45pm EST: Break
- 2:45-3:15pm EST: Understanding the experiences, needs, and resilience factors of LGTBQ older adults (con't)
- 3:15-4:15pm EST: Sexual expression in LTC communities & benefits & risks of sexual expression of adults living with dementia
- 1-1:45pm: Family/Surrogate decision maker attitudes about intimacy; common family dynamics and emotional experiences surrounding intimacy; Dynamics between intimate partners
- 1:45-2:30pm: Cultural considerations related to resident sexuality; Legal considerations of family influences on resident sexuality
- 2:30-2:45pm Break
- 2:45-4:15pm: Understanding our Own Values related to sexuality and aging, sexuality and dementia; Explore how one’s own biases and values may influence decision making about intimacy between residents and LTC policies and procedures.
- 1-2:30pm: Determining Capacity to consent in the context of diminished capacity due to dementia. evidence-based guidelines for determining the capacity of an individual to consent to sexual interaction in the context of dementia and diminished capacity.
- 2:30-2:45: Break
- 2:45-4:15: Sexual health policy development. Understand why a sexual health policy is important and follow 7 steps to design a sexual health policy in your agency
- 1-2pm: Review common ethical dilemmas that arise in the context of sexual expression & diminished capacity
- 2-2:30pm: Promoting sexual health in Long Term Care; Tools for providing education to residents in LTC about sexual health and access to resources (e.g., condoms, lubrication, etc), risks (e.g., with catheters and falls)
- 2:30-2:45 Break
- 2:45-3:15 Promoting sexual health in LTC; Discuss resident privacy rights and examples of privacy policies between residents and for partner visits
- 3:15-4:15 Managing hypersexuality and inappropriate behaviors in the context of dementia ; Differentiate inappropriate from appropriate behaviors; Strategies to manage and divert inappropriate behaviors
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What are students saying?
"This was, hands down, the best CE course I've ever taken. It is completely applicable to my work, and through this this fairly time-limited course, I was able to gain enough confidence about the material that I am already making plans to implement a policy change in my institution. I would (and have) recommend this to any and all professionals in a geriatric work setting."
"Dr. Koepp took a very sensitive topic and addressed it head-on and gave us the confidence to do the same. Her approach to unraveling the ethical dilemmas surrounding dementia and sexual expression is healthy, relevant and compassionate. I believe I will not only be a better administrator for having taken her course but I've also gained a much broader perspective on how long-term care must evolve to address the needs of our 'olders'."
This program not only gave me concrete ways to approach expression of sexual health with clients and communities in which I interface, but it also (and equally importantly), raised awareness for me about the need for exploring sexual expression as a means of quality of life and joy experienced as an older adult.
"Dr. Regina is an expert in the field of Aging and Sexuality and I have gained a great sense of respect and understanding of individuals' needs and how to respond to meet those needs. The diversity of the group was very helpful in evaluation and working through issues with different disciplines."
How Was Certification For This Course Determined?
This 15-hour comprehensive program was reviewed by licensed mental health professionals and subject matter experts who following in-depth review of this program, agreed that this program possesses the quality, depth, and breadth of training to merit certification in the stated topic.
Meet the Reviewers
Peter Lichtenberg, PhD, ABPP
Peter A. Lichtenberg, Ph.D., ABPP is the Director of The Institute of Gerontology and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, and a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. A clinician and researcher throughout his career Dr. Lichtenberg, one of the first board certified Clinical Geropsychologists in the nation. Dr. Lichtenberg has authored 7 books and over 190 scientific articles in Geropsychology, many including sexual health in the context of dementia disorder and diminished capacity. Dr. Lichtenberg has held many leadership roles in the American Psychological Association, Gerontological Society of America and Psychologists in Long Term Care. Dr. Lichtenberg was elected to the position of Vice President, President and Chairman of the Board for the Gerontological Society of America beginning in 2021-2023.
Vonetta Dotson, PhD
Dr. Dotson is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Gerontology at Georgia State University, Senior Project Scientist for Behavioral Health at NASA (KBR), and Founder and President of CerebroFit Integrated Brain Health. She completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology at the University of Florida with a specialization in neuropsychology and a certificate in gerontology. She completed her postdoctoral training at the National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program. Dr. Dotson’s research and clinical activities focus on positive and negative modifiers of brain health, including the intersection of depression with cognitive and brain aging.
Jennifer Steiner, PhD, ABPP
Dr. Jennifer Steiner is a board certified clinical health psychologist, founder of Beyond the Body Health Psychology Services, LLC, Co-Director of Center for Mental Health & Aging’s Continuing Education Program, Adjunct Faculty at Emory School of Medicine, Board Member of the Georgia Psychology Association Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Continuing Education Committee for Georgia Psychological Association, and Member of the Committee on Health Psychology and Integrated Practice. Dr. Steiner’s research and clinical practice focuses on chronic pain and interventions for chronic pain.
Endsley Real, LCSW, MPH
Endsley Real is a licensed clinical social worker. She has over 10 years of administrative experience in directing programs for those with substance use disorders, mental illness, and those living with HIV. Ms. Real is currently Chair of the Nominating Committee for Association of Social Work Boards charged with selecting the slate for the ASWB Board of Directors. She served for 5 years on the State of Georgia Composite Board for Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapist including 2 years as the board chair. Ms. Real obtained her MSW from Clark Atlanta University in 1997 and obtained an MPH from Emory University in 2014.
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Continuing Education Approvals
Social Workers
Center for Mental Health & Aging, #1801, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Center for Mental Health & Aging maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 03/25/2022 – 03/25/2023. Social workers completing this course receive 15 continuing education credits.
Psychologists
Center for Mental Health & Aging is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Center for Mental Health & Aging maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Counselors
Center for Mental Health and Aging (CMHA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7230. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Center for Mental Health and Aging (CMHA) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs)
Center for Mental Health & Aging is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. In many state licensing jurisdictions, APA approved continuing education programs qualify for LMFT CE credits. See what your state requires here.
Care Managers
CMHA is approved by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers (NACCM) as a continuing education provider, #21-905CMHA. This activity approved for 15 CMC contact hours.
Long Term Care & Nursing Home Executives & Administrators
Select programs (Dementia and Sexual Health Certification Course) has been approved for continuing education for 15 total participant hours by nab/ncers—approval 20230410-15-A85917-DL. For additional information, contact nab at 1120 20th st., nw, suite 750, Washington, DC 20036, (202)712-9040, or www.nabweb.org.
National CE Credit Approvals For Live Webinar: Credits listed are for full attendance at the live webcast only. The CE certificate can be downloaded/printed after completing the webcast and passing the online post-test evaluation for on-demand courses (75% passing score). NOTE: Boards do not allow credit for breaks or lunch.
Registrant is responsible for ensuring that CE credits meet the criteria for their own jurisdiction requirements.
*Content and materials in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession’s standards.
Important Details
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Regina Koepp, PsyD, ABPP is founder and owner of the Center for Mental Health & Aging (CMHA) and Co-Director of the CMHA CE Training Program. She has a private practice in Atlanta, GA.
Non-Financial: Regina Koepp is a member of GPA, GGS, GSA, APA, and is vice-chair of the Ethics Committee of the Georgia Psychological Association (GPA)
The CMHA CE Training Advisory Committee independently reviews Dr. Koepp’s CE presentations to ensure that Dr. Koepp’s presentations meet the CE program requirements.
There is no known commercial support or conflict of interest for Center for Mental Health & Aging
Commercial Support: There is no known commercial support or conflict of interest for this CE program, content, or sponsor.
Accessibility Requests: Center for Mental Health & Aging is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in continuing education activities and will conduct all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. If participants have special needs, reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate them. Please contact [email protected] with questions, concerns or to request special accommodations.
Grievance Policy: CMHA will respond to grievances in a reasonable, ethical, and timely manner. Grievances may be submitted by course participants in writing to [email protected]. CMHA’s complete Grievance Procedure will be provided upon request. You may request Grievance Procedure by emailing [email protected].
Course interaction & System Requirements
The following system requirements help to reduce tech problems:
• Operating Systems: Windows XP or higher, MacOS 9 or higher, Android 4.0 or higher
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 9.0 or higher, Google Chrome, Firefox 10.0 or higher
• Broadband Internet connection: Cable, High-speed DSL & any other medium that is internet accessible.
• Webinar Platform: Zoom is used to deliver live webinars
General Refund Policy: ALL LIVE workshop refunds will be honored for cancellations if received at least five (5) days prior to the date of a live webinar or live workshop AND within 30 days following purchase. Please note that payments made via Credit Card have certain fees associated with them, some of which are non-recoupable and are therefore non-refundable by Center for Mental Health & Aging. Therefore, all LIVE webinar payments made by Credit Card will have a three percent (3%) credit card fee deducted from the refund. Should you have any questions regarding our LIVE Webinar refund policy, please contact [email protected]
For additional questions email [email protected]