This course will disrupt the status quo and question traditional thinking by exploring the right to die vs. suicidality, philosophical problems related to aggressive advance directives in the context of dementia, and navigating honoring a person's dignity and autonomy vs. our duty to protect.


Ethical Dilemmas in Caring for Older Adults

-6 CE Ethics Credits-

Recorded Webinar - Get Instant Access


In this course you'll ...

>> Learn a model for differentiating suicidality versus desire to hasten death among patients living with terminal illness, as well as a therapy modality for working with this population

>> Gain a better understanding of the Right to Die movement and Medical Aid in Dying




>> Explore 3 philosophical problems associated with advance directives related to dementia end of life care, including the questions: Is someone with severe dementia the same person as they were prior to this state? Are people living with dementia allowed to evolve, change, and make decisions for their own life?




>> Get a framework for navigating the dilemma between a person's autonomy and right to make unhealthy choices with our duty to protect that many family caregivers and professionals struggle with.





What Students Are Saying About Dr. Koepp's Courses

"Dr. Koepp is phenomenally knowledgeable in this topic area. The examples used were relatable, applicable and relevant to my current practice and life and will vastly expand how I am able to assist several clients. Her presentation was culturally responsive to the needs of my clientele."

"Really enjoyed this training - was interested in content because I knew I didn't know what I needed to know but feel much more aware of working with folks and who/how to partner with caregivers or community entities to provide best levels of care if needed"

"Dr. Regina Koepp was definitely one of the more engaging speakers at the conference and I would very much enjoy hearing more from her in the future. The subject matter was also very interesting. I live in an area with many older people and the talk was very informative for not only my work, but for my opening my eyes and my heart to the older people around me. Thank you!"


About the Course

This six-hour intermediate ethics course will challenge conventional thinking about the rights of older adults and those living with dementia disorders. Participants will learn a model for working with terminally ill clients wishing to hasten their death and how to differentiate this wish from suicidality. In addition, a person’s right to die and death with dignity will be discussed. This workshop will explore the topic of aggressive advance directives and discuss philosophical problems related to dementia end of life care, including the questions: Is someone with severe dementia the same person as they were prior to this state? Are people living with dementia allowed to evolve, change, and make decisions for their own life? Participants will learn a framework for navigating the dilemma between "dignity of risk" and "duty of care" that many family caregivers and professionals struggle with. Vignettes will be used to apply the frameworks for navigating common ethical dilemmas in dementia care, including “autonomy” and “dignity of risk” versus “duty to protect” related to sexual relationships, food choices, the right to take walks or be homebound, etc.

After attending this intermediate-level program in full, participants will be able to:

  • Identify a model for differentiating suicidality versus desire to hasten death among patients living with terminal illness, as well as a therapy modality for working with this population
  • Describe the Right to Die movement and Medical Aid in Dying
  • Illustrate 3 philosophical problems associated with advance directives related to dementia end of life care
  • Apply a framework for navigating the dilemma between "dignity of risk" and "duty of care" that many family caregivers struggle with.
  • Define capacity to consent to intimacy and apply guidelines for navigating sexual consent in the context of dementia.
  • Course Schedule (Class recorded 12/1/23):

  • 9-10:30 EST (90min): Working with clients who wish to hasten death when living with a terminal illness. Identify a model for differentiating suicidality versus desire to hasten death among patients living with terminal illness, as well as a therapy modality for working with this population. Discuss Right to Die movement and Medical Aid in Dying
  • 10:30-10:45 EST Break
  • 10:45-12 EST (75min): Define Advance Directives and illustrate 3 philosophical problems associated with advance directives related to dementia end of life care. Vignettes will be used to apply content.
  • Noon-1 EST Lunch
  • 1-2:30 EST (90min): Discuss family caregiving when living with life altering medical condition. Apply a framework for navigating the dilemma between "dignity of risk" and "duty of care" that many family caregivers struggle with.
  • 2:30-2:45 EST Break
  • 2:45-4:30pm EST (105min): Navigating common ethical dilemmas in dementia care, including “autonomy” and “dignity of risk” versus “duty to protect” related to sexual relationships, food choices, the right to take walks or be homebound, etc. Define capacity to consent to intimacy and apply guidelines for navigating sexual consent in the context of dementia.
  • With successful completion of course requirements, this course is eligible for 6 Continuing Education (CE) Credit/6 CMC Contact Hours for therapists, counselors, social workers, psychologists, care managers, and more.

    Dr. Regina Koepp is a board certified clinical psychologist, clinical geropsychologist, and founder and director of the Center for Mental Health & Aging: the “go to” place online for mental health and aging. She is currently the lead medical psychologist at University of Vermont Medical Center.

    Dr. Koepp is creator and host of the Psychology of Aging Podcast and is a contributing writer at Psychology Today and Psychotherapy Networker, where she discusses aging mental health and aging sexual health. She has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, Insider, and other national periodicals.

    Dr. Koepp is a sought-after speaker on the topics of mental health and aging, caregiving, ageism, resilience, sexual health and aging, intimacy in the context of life altering Illness, and dementia and sexual expression. She is creator of the only dementia and sexual health certification program in the United States.

    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, Vice Chair of the Georgia Psychological Association Ethics Committee, and staff psychologist at the Atlanta VA Health Care System where she provided direct patient care and consultation on an Older Adult Outpatient Mental Health team for more than a decade.

    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.

    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 Georgia. She is lead medical Psychologist at University of Vermont Medical Center

    Non-financial: Regina Koepp is a member of GPA, APA, ASA. The CMHA CE Training Program advisory committee independently reviews Dr. Koepp’s CE presentations to ensure that Dr. Koepp’s presentations meet CE program requirements.

    There is no known commercial support or conflict of interest for this CE program, content, or sponsor.

    I'm so glad you're here!

    I'm Dr. Regina Koepp. I'm a Stanford-trained, board certified clinical psychologist, and founder of the Center for Mental Health & Aging. For close to 20 years, I’ve worked with older adults and their families in some of the most prominent healthcare systems in the nation, like Stanford, Emory, the Veterans Health Administration, and University of Vermont Medical Center.


    In my career, I've had the opportunity to serve on various ethics committees and clinical advisory workgroups, from the Atlanta VA Health Care System where I served in these roles to the Georgia Psychological Association's Ethics Committee, where I served as Vice Chair, to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where I lead a Collaborative Care Response Team.


    I'm also creator of the first and only Dementia and Sexual Health (15 hour CE) Certification Course in the United States and have had the privilege of training Ombudsman and Adult Protective Service workers across the United States.


    I've guided professionals in private practice, teams working in large health care systems, and long-term care communities in navigating ethical dilemmas among older populations and built this course addressing some of the most rich and complex ethical questions I get.


    So, if you are dedicated to honoring an older person's self-determination, dignity, and rights while ensuring their safety and well-being. You're in the right place! I hope you find this work as rich and meaningful as I do.


    It's only with your help that we can meet the mental health needs of older adults and caregivers. So, thank you for being here and doing your part!

    Every Mental Health Provider Needs To Take An Ethics And Aging Course. Here's Why:

    • Older adults face a distinct set of ethical issues like end-of-life decisions, autonomy, and informed consent, especially in cases of cognitive decline. You'll need tools to navigate these challenges.
    • You’ll be in positions to advocate for the rights and dignity of your older clients, empowering them to make informed decisions about their mental health, well-being, and end of life care.
    • You’ll be asked to guide professionals and families on navigating an older person’s independence and self-determination while ensuring their safety and well-being.
    • You'll be interacting with your older adults' families and caregivers. Understanding the ethical considerations surrounding family dynamics, caregiver stress, and intergenerational conflicts is essential for effective and compassionate care.

    What Makes Us Different Than Other Continuing Education Companies?

    •  We are a mission-driven continuing education company that focuses solely on meeting the mental health needs of older adults.
    • Our presenters are at the top of their field and have proven expertise in the courses they teach. You'll have confidence knowing you're getting the very best training.
    •  We are a small, independent, woman-owned company. As licensed, board-certified clinical psychologist who works every day in clinical practice, founder, Dr. Regina Koepp understands what clinicians need.
    •  We include diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of our continuing education programs and strive to ensure that people historically left out of mental health care are included, not as an afterthought, but in everything we do.
    •  We provide topics that focus on the full aging experience, not just one corner of mental health care, like sexuality and aging and sexual consent in the context of dementia. No topic is off topic.

    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 6 continuing education ethics 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. 


    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 6 CMC contact hours.


    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.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    This recording of this course will be available on 12/5/23. This course is available live on 12/1/23 via Zoom (registration closed 11/20/23). You must attend LIVE to earn LIVE Ethics CE Credits. Attendance is taken for live participation. A Zoom link will be emailed following purchase. Registration for Live event closes 11/30/23. Can't attend live? No problem, when you register, you'll be automatically enrolled in the recorded version of this webinar- available on 12/5/23. You'll get instant access to the bonuses when you purchase this course (if you purchase within the "limited time offer" window).

    Following purchase, you'll receive an email from "Dr. Regina Koepp- Center for Mental Health & Aging" with your receipt and another email with links to your courses (don't forget to check your spam folder). For LIVE CE Webinars, you’ll receive an email with a Zoom link to join on the day of the live webinar.

    You can always log in to your account and access all of your courses this way as well.

    This is a limited time offer. To get access to the Ethical Dilemmas In Caring for Older Adults course at the "early bird" rate and the free bonuses, you must purchase by the deadline. If you miss the deadline, you can purchase these courses at their regular rates on our website here.

    Participants will have their participation registered through the Center for Mental Health & Aging. To earn continuing education (CE) credits you must complete the following steps for on demand/pre-recorded courses::

    Step 1: Attend 100% of the course. Attendance is tracked via the online platform.
    Step 2: Successfully pass the course post-test (for pre-recorded courses only; You have a total of 3 attempts to pass the post-test).
    Step 3: Complete the Course Program Evaluation & Attestation
    Step 4: 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!

    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.

    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].

    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 software: Zoom is used to deliver live, synchronous programs.
  • ALL LIVE workshop refunds will be honored for cancellations if received within 30 days of purchase AND at least one (1) day prior to the date of a live webinar or live workshop. All on demand/pre-recorded courses are backed by a 7-day money back guarantee. 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, 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 refund policies, please contact [email protected].

    For additional questions email [email protected].

    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.