Aging: Resources from NASW

NASW-NYS Mental Health Grant Project Trained
Hundreds of Social Workers Across New York State on
Meeting the Needs of Older Adults

NASW-NYS held six trainings that began in the fall of 2004 in Albany, followed by events in Syracuse, New York City, Suffern, Long Island, and ending with our final training held in May 2005 in Buffalo.  A total of 480 social workers participated in the Mental Health Grant Project Training Institutes on Anxiety Disorders and the Elderly, which was an educational opportunity made possible by funds from the Lorazepan and Clorazepate Antitrust Litigation Settlement administered by the New York State Attorney General. 

These full day trainings provided social workers with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills on addressing anxiety disorders in the elderly. Workshop topics included: prevalence of anxiety disorders in the elderly, screening and assessment of anxiety disorders in the elderly, medications and treatment of anxiety disorders, addressing caregiver needs, best practices/ program models, cognitive therapies in addressing anxiety disorders, end of life issues, and co-morbidity with anxiety disorders.  Conference faculty included practitioners in the field of aging including social workers, psychiatrics, psychologist, and university faculty members all with expertise in serving the elderly. A total of thirty-eight (38) presenters made up our faculty for trainings delivered.

In addition our project supported the development of two continuing education issues of our chapter newsletter dedicated to social work practice with older adults.  The July/August 2004 issue was distributed to our members as well as to all training participants.  This issue features articles contributed by some of our talented conference faculty.  In addition, the chapter developed a webpage with information and resources focusing on aging issues.

We would like to thank all the members of our advisory committee for their contributions to the planning and delivery of these trainings and the entire training faculty who shared their expertise in working with the elderly.