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September Behavioral Health & Aging Newsletter

Welcome to OCEBHA’s monthly newsletter! Each month, we highlight noteworthy news and applicable research in behavioral health and aging, as well as upcoming events and opportunities.

This month, we’re sharing information about bringing WRAP to your community, providing actionable research for practitioners on reducing silos, behavioral health and aging news on how an app can help with behavioral health symptoms for older adults and caregivers, and linking you to select September events from our partners across Oregon.

OCEBHA News

The Oregon Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Aging received a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, making the training to become a WRAP facilitator at no cost. Support older adult wellness: Become a WRAP facilitator in your community senior center!
- WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan, https://www.wellnessrecoveryactionplan.com/what-is-wrap/) is a self-directed wellness plan that helps older adults get well, stay well, and live their lives the way they want. As an evidence-based practice, WRAP is a group intervention model to address behavioral health concerns for older adults.
- To become a certified WRAP facilitator within your community, you must attend two seminars: one session is virtual, one in person. WRAP Seminars I & II guides you in tools to facilitate a WRAP program and will certify you as a WRAP facilitator. Once trained, WRAP facilitated groups average a time commitment of two hours per week for eight weeks.
- *Training to become a facilitator is provided at no cost thanks to a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living
- For more information and to register for the training to become a facilitator in Easter/Central and/or Southern Oregon, please contact: poweror@pdx.edu
OCEBHA's 3rd annual behavioral health and aging conference is happening next week! If you're attending, be sure to pack your bags, book your hotel, and review our program to learn more about our speakers events.

Recent Research Highlights

“What Geriatric Emergency Departments Do Differently,” by Paula Span for The New York Times (republished in KFF Health News)

Portrait of how geriatric ED facilities are uniquely able to meet and address the needs of older adult patients who arrive at the emergency room at higher rates than any other age except infants. Recent studies have shown that geriatric emergency departments, designed for the specific risks and needs of older patients, reduce hospital admissions, costs, and deaths among older adults. With more than 5,000 emergency departments in the US, only 600 are accredited as geriatric emergency departments, highlighting missed opportunities for improving older adult care.

“Vision Loss Can Impact Mental Health. Here’s How CU Anschutz Clinicians Empower Patients Through Collaborative Care,” by Taylor Shaw in CU Anshutz News

In multiple studies, vision loss has been ranked as one of the most feared health concerns, and conditions that impact sight are on the rise. With a growing aging population, eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy continue to increase in prevalence.
A partnership between the Low Vision Rehabilitation Service and behavioral health clinicians in geriatric medicine highlights how a whole person approach to older adult care can change lives. Research shows that vision loss can degrade the quality of life and is a risk factor for depression.
While eye care, mental health, and behavioral care are often siloed, read how these clinicians are integrating care to improve outcomes.

“Studies, staff training, policies needed to address mental illness issues in assisted living,” by Kimberly Bonvissuto in McKnight Senior Living

Little to no research exists when it comes to the barriers, clinical outcomes and policy effects of discharging assisted living residents who experience mental illness, according to the authors of a new study. They called for additional research to identify effective discharge supports and to understand post-discharge outcomes for such residents.
One expert said the study underlines the need for staff training on mental illness as well as policies and procedures related to suicidal thoughts in assisted living.

Behavioral Health & Aging News

“Free Oregon training helps rural responders support older adults,” by Mark Rattner NonStop Local

A new training program is helping first responders in rural Oregon better support older adults during disasters such as wildfires and extreme weather events. Research shows older adults are affected more than others during disasters, especially outside city centers.

The training was built for police, paramedics and other first responders working in those rural communities.

Visit the Resource

“App helps caregivers manage dementia-related behavioral symptoms, improves well-being,” by Lisa Howard in UC Davis Health News

A new study from UC Davis Health and Drexel University found that WeCareAdvisor, an app designed to help caregivers manage dementia-related behavioral symptoms using practical, non-drug strategies, reduced caregiver distress and improved well-being.

More than 7 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. By 2050, the number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million.

The application incorporates the DICE Approach (Describe, Investigate, Create, and Evaluate). Caregivers are guided through a series of questions to describe behaviors, investigate underlying causes, create individual strategies that don’t rely on medication, and then evaluate their effectiveness. During the study, caregivers received daily supportive tips via text messages. The app also contains educational materials.

The study is the first randomized trial to evaluate an app that gives caregivers a systematic, non-drug approach to manage dementia-related behavioral symptoms. By month 3, family caregivers reported lower distress and reported significantly fewer behavioral symptoms, and improved caregiver well-being.

Visit the Resource

“Discovery Explains Link Between Post-Surgery Delirium, Dementia,” in UVA Health

UVA Health researchers have discovered how a form of delirium that often affects older patients after surgery may set the stage for dementia and identified a drug that could reverse the underlying brain changes.

Postoperative delirium can effect people of any age but is particularly common in older and frail patients. The American Delirium Society estimates that the condition affects 7 million hospitalized Americans each year and is responsible for up to $152 billion in healthcare costs.

The condition is also a strong risk factor for subsequent cognitive decline and dementia. The connection between postoperative delirium and dementia, however, has remained unclear.

The new research helps explain that link by identifying brain vulnerabilities that may contribute to longer-term decline.

Visit the Resource

“Exercise Type Matters for Post-Stroke Mental Health in Older Adults,” in Medscape

In older adults who had a stroke, dual-task training and mind-body exercise ranked highest for reducing depressive symptoms, while resistance/strength training and dual-task training were ranked most beneficial for reducing anxiety, a study showed.

For cognitive function, balance/coordination training was linked to statistically credible improvement compared with usual care, though mind-body exercise and general aerobic exercise ranked highest.

Visit the Resource

Community and Partner Events

September 22, 10:00 - 11:30am, Falls Screening and Assessment for Falls Prevention by OABHI
- GOBHI Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative Training Series 2026 Part II. Build your knowledge and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of older adults.
- Online, MHACBO CEUs, NASW CEUs pending*
September 23, 12:00 - 3:00 PM, Enhancing Prescription Opioid Safety in Senior Care by Oregon Care Partners
- This training explores the risks and benefits of opioid use in older adults and provides practical guidance on pain management, safe storage, and accountability to help caregivers make an impact on harm reduction. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to help support safer medication use and protect the well-being of those in their care.
- Online webinar, 3 CEUs available

Monthly Observances

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the unique risk factors older adults may face.

Older adults experience unique risk factors like isolation, chronic pain, depression, loss of independence, and trouble finding providers that can put them at risk for suicidality.

While older adults make up just 16.8% of the population, they make up approximately 22% of suicides (National Council on Aging). Suicide is a public health crisis, but there is ways that you can make a difference for those in your county, community, and personal life. Know the warning signs and ways that you can help—

Warning signs:

Loss of interest in activities
Giving away beloved items or changing their will
Avoiding social activities
Neglecting self-care and medical regimens
Exhibiting a preoccupation with death
Lacking concern for personal safety

Ways to help:

Ask direct questions
Be physically present
Keep them safe
Help them connect to resources and community
Check in and follow up

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, dial or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and talk to a free, unbiased, confidential counselor 24/7.

Older adults can also contact Oregon's Senior Loneliness Line at (503) 200-1633.

To find resources near you in Oregon, visit OCEBHA’s asset map: https://ocebha.org/asset-map/

For more information, visit: https://www.ncoa.org/article/suicide-and-older-adults-what-you-should-know/

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Portland State University | Institute on Aging | Portland, OR 97201-0751 US

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