Elder Depression: Treatment Indications and Psychopharmacology for Optimum Outcomes
Resource Availability
This course material was originally created by SMI Adviser, now rebranded as SMI CalAdviser. The content in this course material is still current and relevant, yet, please be aware that some external resources and links may no longer be active or available. 
Overview

Description 

Depression is common among the elderly but is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. At the same time, there is an inappropriate use of antidepressants within the same elderly population. Inappropriate prescribing of antidepressants can increase the risk for poor outcomes, offsetting any benefit to their use. Unfortunately, clinical trials of the use of antidepressants in the elderly are underrepresented with confusing outcomes on the long-term effects. The emergence and/or treatment of dementia associated with elders’ antidepressant treatment is central to providing care. This program examines the myths, traditional practices, and evidence on the use of all antidepressants prescribed to the elderly. This program reviews the evidence drawn from systematic reviews and the evidence-based practice standards. Included is a review of dosing, adverse events, and preventative best practices on the use of all antidepressants being given to those over age 65. 

Format 

Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity with post-test. 

This presentation was recorded on May 20, 2021. 

Learning Objectives 

Explain how to screen for the appropriate use of antidepressants in the elderly. 

Discuss appropriate antidepressant dosing associated with age, liver, and renal functioning. 

Determine the routine behavioral and laboratory follow-up and monitoring needed for maintaining antidepressant treatment in the elderly. 

Target Audience 

Psychiatrist, Physician (Non-Psychiatric), Physician Assistant, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacist, Psychologist 

Instructional Level 

Introductory, Intermediate 

Estimate Time to Complete 

Estimated Duration: 1.0 hour 
Program Start Date: July 30, 2025
Program End Date: July 30, 2028

Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board 

After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through the Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.   

How to Earn Credit 

After evaluating the activity, participants will be provided with an opportunity evaluate the activity and, claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the event date and hours earned. 

Continuing Education Credit 

In support of improving patient care, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  

Physicians   

The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.   

Nurses/Nurse Practitioners   

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) designates this activity for 1.00 Nursing contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.   

Psychologists   

Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.  

***Continuing education requirements vary from state to state. Many state boards grant reciprocity with national accrediting organizations and other state boards. It is the responsibility of each professional to understand the requirements for license renewal or check with the state or national licensing board and/or professional organization to become more familiar with their policies for acceptable continuing education credit. Social workers and Psychologists should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.    

Faculty and Planner Disclosures 

The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity - including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others - are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.  

Faculty 

  • Michael Rice, PhD, APRN, FAAN had been in Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing since 1994. He was appointed to a Professor Emeritus position at Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado in 2021, serves on numerous Advisory Boards, and is Treasurer for the Institute for Behavioral Health Improvement. He was co-founder of the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska, consults internationally in the middle east, and served as consultant to the Ministry of Health in Singapore. He was recognized as one of the TOP 15 U.S. Psychiatric Nursing Professors in 2015, one of twelve recipients of ANA’s prestigious Hildegard Peplau Award, and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Rice reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 

Planners 

  • Teri Brister, PhD, LPC, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 
  • Stacy Coyle, PsyD, The Ross Center. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.  
  • Tristan Gorrindo, MD, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 
  • Donna Rolin, PhD, APRN, University of Texas at Austin. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.   

Reviewers 

  • Donna Rolin, PhD, APRN, University of Texas at Austin. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. (Reviewed on 6/4/2023) 

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities 

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance. 

Technical Requirements 

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following: 

  • The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari 
  • Internet Explorer 11+ 

This website requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be:  Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player. 

Optimal System Configuration: 

  • Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version) 
  • Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version) 
  • Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher 

Minimum Requirements: 

  • Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content 
  • Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content 

Contact support@smicaladviser.org for technical assistance. 

Summary
Availability:
On-Demand
Expires on Jul 30, 2028
Credit Offered:
1 CME Credit
1 NCPD Credit
1 Psychology CE Credit
1 COP Credit
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