Ames High

Overview/Purpose/Goal: Psychiatric emergencies can happen to anyone at any age. In the elderly the symptoms can be frighten-ing to the person and to their caregivers. Recognizing the risk, behaviors and possible causes that might be related to psychosocial problems, co-morbid medical conditions, medications, and other causes can present unique opportunities and challenges for the caregivers. If your GOAL is to heighten your awareness and knowledge of psychiatric emergencies in this population, to meet the challenges appropriately and provide the best care possible, this program is for you.

 Define a psychiatric emergency.

 Identify who might be at risk for developing symptoms of a pending psychiatric emergency.

 Recognize behaviors signaling a possible psychiatric emer-gency.

 Differentiate medical from psychiatric emergencies.

 Discuss available treatment interventions in long term care settings.

 Utilize select resources available to assist with psychiatric emergencies.