{"id":69483,"date":"2026-01-14T12:03:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T18:03:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/?p=69483"},"modified":"2026-02-13T13:25:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T19:25:16","slug":"older-adults-and-ptsd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/?p=69483","title":{"rendered":"Older Adults and PTSD (1 credit hour)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Program Summary: \u00a0<\/strong><em>The following course highlights research with military Veterans, and information for this course is provided by the National Center for PTSD and the US Department of Veterans Affairs.<\/em>\u00a0 This course explores PTSD in older adults and at the end of life and identifies clinical considerations for assessment and treatment. \u00a0The course describes how PTSD and aging may interact in new and challenging ways, resulting in the potential for older adults to experience an exacerbation of symptoms for several reasons. \u00a0Implications for end of life care are considered and strategies for the management of PTSD symptoms are included.<\/p>\n<p>This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reading #1: \u00a0<\/strong><em>Older Adults and PTSD, National Center for PTSD, VA; \u00a0<strong>Reading #2:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0PTSD and End of Life: Clinical Considerations for PTSD in Palliative or Hospice Care; National Center for PTSD, VA.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23633 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/book_1404081347.png\" alt=\"Book Icon\" width=\"54\" height=\"50\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/articles\/Older_Adults_and_PTSD_Readings.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Open the Course Reading Here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Course\u00a0Objectives:<\/strong>\u00a0 To enhance professional practice, values, skills and knowledge by examining clinical considerations for the assessment and treatment of PTSD in older adults.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Learning Objectives: \u00a0<\/strong>Describe the clinical presentation of PTSD in older adults and at the end of life, with special consideration for the military Veteran. \u00a0Identify considerations for the assessment and treatment of PTSD in older adults and at the end of life, with special consideration for the military Veteran. \u00a0Identify strategies for management of PTSD symptoms, with special consideration for the military Veteran.<\/p>\n\t\r\n\t\t<link type=\"text\/css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/quizzin\/style.css\" \/>\r\n\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-includes\/js\/jquery\/jquery.js\"><\/script>\r\n\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/quizzin\/script.js\"><\/script>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<div class=\"quiz-area single-page-quiz\">\r\n\t\t<form action=\"?page_id=755\" method=\"post\" class=\"quiz-form\" id=\"quiz-465\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<p><strong>Course Available Until:<\/strong>  May 31, 2030.<\/p><p><strong>In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to <a href=?action=login>log in<\/a>. If you do not have an account, you will need to <a href=??action=register>register for a free account<\/a>.<p>After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course. <\/p><\/strong><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-1'><div class='question-content'> 1:  Reading #1\/\/ PTSD prevalence might be lower among older adults due to<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='8976' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8976' id='answer-id-54478' class='answer answer-1' value='54478' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8976\", \"answer-id-54478\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54478' id='answer-label-54478' class='answer label-1'><span>resilience<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8976' id='answer-id-54479' class='answer answer-1' value='54479' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8976\", \"answer-id-54479\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54479' id='answer-label-54479' class='answer label-1'><span>risk factors<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8976' id='answer-id-54480' class='answer answer-1' value='54480' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8976\", \"answer-id-54480\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54480' id='answer-label-54480' class='answer label-1'><span>cohort effects<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8976' id='answer-id-54481' class='answer answer-1' value='54481' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8976\", \"answer-id-54481\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54481' id='answer-label-54481' class='answer label-1'><span>all of the above<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-2'><div class='question-content'> 2:  Chronic pain is a common comorbidity of PTSD and the relationship between pain and PTSD may ________ with older age.<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='8977' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8977' id='answer-id-54389' class='answer answer-2' value='54389' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8977\", \"answer-id-54389\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54389' id='answer-label-54389' class='answer label-2'><span>weaken<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8977' id='answer-id-54390' class='answer answer-2' value='54390' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8977\", \"answer-id-54390\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54390' id='answer-label-54390' class='answer label-2'><span>strengthen<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-3'><div class='question-content'> 3:  Which of the following is a consideration for tailoring assessment and treatment to older adults?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='8982' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8982' id='answer-id-54377' class='answer answer-3' value='54377' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8982\", \"answer-id-54377\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54377' id='answer-label-54377' class='answer label-3'><span>wait for a patient to raise the issue of trauma or PTSD on their own <\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8982' id='answer-id-54378' class='answer answer-3' value='54378' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8982\", \"answer-id-54378\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54378' id='answer-label-54378' class='answer label-3'><span>use psychological jargon<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8982' id='answer-id-54379' class='answer answer-3' value='54379' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8982\", \"answer-id-54379\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54379' id='answer-label-54379' class='answer label-3'><span>assume that older adults may be as likely to benefit from therapy as younger adults<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8982' id='answer-id-54380' class='answer answer-3' value='54380' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8982\", \"answer-id-54380\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54380' id='answer-label-54380' class='answer label-3'><span>all of the above<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-4'><div class='question-content'> 4:  Reading #2\/\/ \u00a0Clinical literature and case studies have documented that Veterans with PTSD may have an _________ in symptoms while in palliative care.<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='8984' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8984' id='answer-id-54476' class='answer answer-4' value='54476' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8984\", \"answer-id-54476\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54476' id='answer-label-54476' class='answer label-4'><span>increase<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8984' id='answer-id-54477' class='answer answer-4' value='54477' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8984\", \"answer-id-54477\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54477' id='answer-label-54477' class='answer label-4'><span>decrease<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-5'><div class='question-content'> 5:  Not engaging in decision-making processes, becoming more withdrawn and isolated are possible examples of which PTSD symptom?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='8986' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8986' id='answer-id-54467' class='answer answer-5' value='54467' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8986\", \"answer-id-54467\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54467' id='answer-label-54467' class='answer label-5'><span>stressor<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8986' id='answer-id-54468' class='answer answer-5' value='54468' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8986\", \"answer-id-54468\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54468' id='answer-label-54468' class='answer label-5'><span>intrusions<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8986' id='answer-id-54469' class='answer answer-5' value='54469' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8986\", \"answer-id-54469\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54469' id='answer-label-54469' class='answer label-5'><span>avoidance<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8986' id='answer-id-54470' class='answer answer-5' value='54470' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8986\", \"answer-id-54470\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54470' id='answer-label-54470' class='answer label-5'><span>negative alterations in cognition and mood<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8986' id='answer-id-54471' class='answer answer-5' value='54471' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8986\", \"answer-id-54471\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54471' id='answer-label-54471' class='answer label-5'><span>alterations in arousal and reactivity<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-6'><div class='question-content'> 6:  When might a course of PTSD treatment NOT be the best fit?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='8990' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8990' id='answer-id-54455' class='answer answer-6' value='54455' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8990\", \"answer-id-54455\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54455' id='answer-label-54455' class='answer label-6'><span>if life prognosis is short<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8990' id='answer-id-54456' class='answer answer-6' value='54456' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8990\", \"answer-id-54456\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54456' id='answer-label-54456' class='answer label-6'><span>if cognitive reserve is decreased<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8990' id='answer-id-54457' class='answer answer-6' value='54457' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8990\", \"answer-id-54457\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54457' id='answer-label-54457' class='answer label-6'><span>if addressing PTSD is not a central goal for the patient<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8990' id='answer-id-54458' class='answer answer-6' value='54458' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8990\", \"answer-id-54458\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54458' id='answer-label-54458' class='answer label-6'><span>all of the above<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-7'><div class='question-content'> 7:  Which of the following is NOT an environmental strategy for management of PTSD symptoms at EOL?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='8991' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8991' id='answer-id-54486' class='answer answer-7' value='54486' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8991\", \"answer-id-54486\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54486' id='answer-label-54486' class='answer label-7'><span>give extra time for rapport building<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8991' id='answer-id-54487' class='answer answer-7' value='54487' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8991\", \"answer-id-54487\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54487' id='answer-label-54487' class='answer label-7'><span>take actions designed to give the patient control over the treatment plan<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8991' id='answer-id-54488' class='answer answer-7' value='54488' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8991\", \"answer-id-54488\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54488' id='answer-label-54488' class='answer label-7'><span>avoid loud or startling noises<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8991' id='answer-id-54489' class='answer answer-7' value='54489' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8991\", \"answer-id-54489\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54489' id='answer-label-54489' class='answer label-7'><span>psychotherapy <\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-8'><div class='question-content'> 8:  Which stage of the SPCC Model is especially appropriate for those who may live only days or weeks?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='8992' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8992' id='answer-id-54442' class='answer answer-8' value='54442' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8992\", \"answer-id-54442\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54442' id='answer-label-54442' class='answer label-8'><span>Stage I<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8992' id='answer-id-54443' class='answer answer-8' value='54443' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8992\", \"answer-id-54443\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54443' id='answer-label-54443' class='answer label-8'><span>Stage II<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8992' id='answer-id-54444' class='answer answer-8' value='54444' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8992\", \"answer-id-54444\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54444' id='answer-label-54444' class='answer label-8'><span>Stage III<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-9'><div class='question-content'> 9:  Which stage of the SPCC Model may be appropriate for a patient with months and years to live and willingness to discuss trauma?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='8993' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8993' id='answer-id-54445' class='answer answer-9' value='54445' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8993\", \"answer-id-54445\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54445' id='answer-label-54445' class='answer label-9'><span>Stage I<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8993' id='answer-id-54446' class='answer answer-9' value='54446' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8993\", \"answer-id-54446\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54446' id='answer-label-54446' class='answer label-9'><span>Stage II<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8993' id='answer-id-54447' class='answer answer-9' value='54447' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8993\", \"answer-id-54447\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54447' id='answer-label-54447' class='answer label-9'><span>Stage III<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><div class='quizzin-question' id='question-10'><div class='question-content'> 10:  Which of the following are considered first-line PTSD medications and may be appropriate for patients with PTSD at EOL?<\/div><input type='hidden' name='question_id[]' value='8994' \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8994' id='answer-id-54452' class='answer answer-10' value='54452' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8994\", \"answer-id-54452\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54452' id='answer-label-54452' class='answer label-10'><span>certain SSRIs and SNRIs<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8994' id='answer-id-54453' class='answer answer-10' value='54453' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8994\", \"answer-id-54453\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54453' id='answer-label-54453' class='answer label-10'><span>Benzodiazepines<\/span><\/label><br \/><input type='radio' name='answer-8994' id='answer-id-54454' class='answer answer-10' value='54454' onclick='saveAnswer(\"answer-8994\", \"answer-id-54454\")' disabled \/>&nbsp;<label for='answer-id-54454' id='answer-label-54454' class='answer label-10'><span>antipsychotics<\/span><\/label><br \/><\/div><p><strong>In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to <a href=?action=login>log in<\/a>. If you do not have an account, you will need to <a href=?action=register>register for a free account<\/a>.<p>After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course. <\/p><\/strong><\/form><\/div><\/font>\n<p>Review our\u00a0<a href=\"..\/?page_id=133\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pre-reading study guide.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course. \u00a0She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience. \u00a0She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City. \u00a0She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital\/medical social work. \u00a0The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Program Summary: \u00a0The following course highlights research with military Veterans, and information for this course is provided by the National Center for PTSD and the US Department of Veterans Affairs.\u00a0 This course explores PTSD in older adults and at the end of life and identifies clinical considerations for assessment and treatment. \u00a0The course describes how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,7,104,45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-69483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aging","category-clinical","category-diagnosis-treatment","category-veterans"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=69483"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69483\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=69483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=69483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freestatesocialwork.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=69483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}