Module 1

Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults

Presented January 17, 2019 / 60 minutes

The aging population is growing and their needs and issues are changing. The prevalence of substance use in older adults is on the rise as is the prevalence of opioid use disorder. Aging populations with multiple medical comorbidities, higher prescription usage, self-medicating, and mental health comorbidities has complicated this underserved population. Screening, engagement, education, and treatment is needed.

Learning Objectives

After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss prevalence data of substance use disorders and mental health prevalence in older adults, including the growing issue of OUD
2. Identify risk factors: signs and symptoms of substance use disorders in older adults.
3. Discuss methods of patient engagement, screenings, and communication can identify and engage patients to improve outcomes

Presenter

Colleen T. LaBelle MSN, RN-BC, CARN
Director STATE OBAT, Boston Medical Center

Accreditation/Designations

A Certificate of Completion is available to those who attend the entire session and  submit a Program Evaluation  Survey. Contact rigec@etal.uri.edu with any CE related questions.

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Module 2

Identification and Management of Opioid Use Disorder in Older Adults

Presented on January 29, 2019 / 60 minutes

This session will focus on updating knowledge and strategies to identify and manage opioid use disorders among older adults so that health care providers can address the needs of their patients and families.

Learning Objectives

After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss considering incorporation of routine screening of older adults for opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose in the primary care setting.
2. Discuss how stigma and ageism may negatively impact the identification and treatment of OUD in older adults.
3. Enhance use of naltrexone or opioid agonist therapy in older adults with OUD, including expanded use of buprenorphine in the primary care setting.

Presenter 

Anita Jacobson, Pharm.D
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Rhode Island

Accreditation/Designations

A Certificate of Completion is available to those who: 1.) attend the session in full and 2.) complete and submit a Program Evaluation Survey.  Contact rigec@etal.uri.edu with questions.

Participate Now!

Module 3

“Hooked” Opioid Use Disorder

Presented on April 17, 2019 / 60 minutes

This session will provide a summary of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment recommendations regarding opioid use and misuse among older adults.

Presenter 

After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe opioid use disorder (OUD) and related treatments
2. Describe prevalence of opioid use among adults > 65 years
3. Discuss age-related considerations for OUD treatment
4. Provide evidence-based strategies for non-pharmacological treatment for chronic pain

Instructor

Brandi Parker Cotton, PhD, MSN, APRN
Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of Rhode Island

Accreditation/Designations

A certificate of completion can be provided upon request to rigec@etal.uri.edu.

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Module 4

Identifying and Managing Older Adults at Risk for Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression

Presented June 6, 2019 / 60 minutes

Screening for opioid-induced respiratory depression risk factors with appropriate management and naloxone co-prescribing when identified needs to be addressed by professional teams treating older adults. This activity will address ways to close the gap in naloxone co-prescribing for older adults with risk factors for opioid-induced respiratory depression and outline strategies for streamlining.

Learning Objectives

After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe validated tools and practice-based methods to assess the risk for opioid- induced respiratory depression.
2. Describe strategies to overcome some of the barriers to naloxone co-prescribing in the primary care setting.
3. Summarize and demonstrate essential patient/caregiver overdose education elements including proper use of naloxone.

Presenter

Anita Jacobson, PharmD
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Rhode Island

Accreditations/Designations

A Certificate of Completion is available to those who: 1.) attend the session in full and 2.) complete and submit a Program Evaluation Survey.  Contact rigec@etal.uri.edu with questions.

Participate Now!

Module 5

Co-occuring Pain and Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults

Presented November 21, 2019 / 60 minutes

Rhode Island has a growing population of older adults with chronic pain and/or opioid use disorders. Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are common in older adults, but the diagnosis is often missed. In addition older adults with SUD are often prescribed controlled drugs on a longitudinal basis which can complicate SUD. This webinar will discuss how to screen for a history of SUD prior to prescribing short term and long term controlled drugs (CRX), and determine the risk benefit ratio of potential CRX, as well as know alternatives to CRX if the risks outweigh the benefits.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the unique epidemiology of Substance Use Disorders in this generation of older adults.
2. Practice validated screening tools to identify and assess pain issues and substance use disorders.
3. Develop an approach to acute pain and chronic pain management in older adult populations affected by substance use disorders.

Presenter

Theodore Parran, Jr., MD, Isabel and Carter Wang Professor and Chair in Medical Education; Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health; Department of Medicine; Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine

Accreditation/Designations

A Certificate of Completion is available to those who: 1.) attend the session in full and 2.) complete and submit a Program Evaluation Survey.  Contact rigec@etal.uri.edu with questions.

Participate Now!

Module 6

Older Adults at Risk for Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression

Presented October 9, 2024 / 60 minutes 

Learning Objectives

1. Identify older adults at risk of an opioid-involved breathing emergency.
2. Describe barriers that exist to accessing naloxone, buprenorphine and/or methadone in the community and long-term care settings.
3. Implement strategies to reduce harm from opioid dependence, withdrawal, and use of unregulated substances.

Presenter

Anita N Jacobson, PharmD
Clinical Professor, University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy
Program Director, Community First Responder Program

Accreditation/Designations

Continuing education credit/Certificates of Completion are available for those who 1.) attend the entire session and 2.) complete and submit the Program Evaluation  Survey. Contact rigec@etal.uri.edu with any CE related questions.

• Nursing:  This continuing education activity was approved by the Northeast Multi-State Division (NE-MSD) an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation for 1.0 Contact Hours.   Approval valid through September 23, 2026.  
• Social Work: This activity has been approved in accordance with the Regulations of the Rhode Island Social Work Board of Licensure by the National Association of Social Workers Rhode Island Chapter for 1.0 credit hour.
  Approval valid through April 30, 2025.

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