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Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation: Prof. Bronwyn Keefe Explains How CADER Trains Senior Center Workforce in Behavioral Health Care
The aging population in the United States continues to grow, and as a result, mental health challenges among older adults, including depression, substance use disorders, and suicide risk, are becoming more prevalent. Senior centers play a key role in addressing these risks, but staff require essential training to provide quality care. Writing for the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at BU Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Prof. Bronwyn Keefe, director of the Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research (CADER) at BU School of Social Work, shares how CADER’s Behavioral Health and Aging certificate program trains senior center staff to address behavioral health concerns in older adults.
Excerpt from “Enhancing Behavioral Health Competencies Among Senior Center Staff: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Older Adults” by Bronwyn Keefe:
Senior centers represent one of the most accessible points of contact for older adults, with over 11,000 centers nationwide. By empowering staff through specialized training programs, these centers can become critical nodes for early identification, intervention, and linkage to appropriate care.
A few factors stand out when looking at programs that really make a difference:
- Accessible Online Learning: allowing staff across various geographies and schedules to participate without the barrier of travel time.
- Competency-Based Curriculum: focusing on mastery of skills, not just knowledge.
- Ongoing Support and Resources: providing follow-up materials and connection opportunities to reinforce learning.
- Cultural Humility: emphasizing the needs of diverse populations, including immigrants and refugees, to ensure care is respectful and effective for all older adults.