April 2024 Newsletter
The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) provides mental health and substance use evidence-based training, customized technical assistance, and resources to certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing facilities that care for residents with a variety of behavioral health conditions at absolutely no cost. To submit a request for assistance, complete the online request form by clicking HERE.
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In This Issue
- Join Our Behavioral Health Action Network Cohort Learning
- Alcohol Awareness Month
- National Minority Health Month
- Nursing Facility Guidance Updates: Alcohol Use and Elopement
- Office Hours
- Managing Substance Use Disorders in Nursing Facilities
- CARES® Serious Mental Illness™ Office Hours
- COE-NF Resources
- Alcohol Use Disorder Bitesize Learning
- Addressing Alcohol Use in Nursing Facilities
- Four Ways Nursing Facilities Can Promote Substance Use Recovery
- Coming Soon: Schizophrenia in Long-Term Care: Four-Part Series with Dr. Abhilash Desai, MD, Psychiatrist
- Did You Know?
- Register for Upcoming COE-NF Training Sessions
- You Matter – Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Poll: Your Opinion Matters
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Join Our Six-Month Cohort Learning Opportunity
In May, the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) will host six monthly one-hour cohort sessions.
These sessions are FREE to attend! This series will improve the behavioral health knowledge and skill set of all staff working in CMS-certified nursing facilities across the United States. Each session builds upon the information shared in previous sessions. This is a full series, and it is intended for participants to join every session in the six-month series.
Benefits of attending:
These sessions are FREE to attend! This series will improve the behavioral health knowledge and skill set of all staff working in CMS-certified nursing facilities across the United States. Each session builds upon the information shared in previous sessions. This is a full series, and it is intended for participants to join every session in the six-month series.
Benefits of attending:
- Learn best practices from behavioral health subject matter experts and other nursing facilities in your region.
- Learn how to create a more effective resident assessment, communication, and care planning process for mental health and substance use disorders.
- Gain a better understanding of mental health basics and the diagnoses affecting your nursing facility residents.
- Collaborate with your regional behavioral specialist to implement this learning in your facility.
- *NEW* Access to national monthly office hours, during which you will interact with nursing facilities across the country and participate in a live Q&A session about the monthly training topics.
- Receive Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit.
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Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which is an excellent opportunity to update your knowledge about alcohol and alcohol use disorder (AUD). This month also reminds us of the impact that alcohol and AUD have on individuals' health and society as a whole.
In the United States, over 140,000 people lose their lives due to alcohol misuse, making it one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. Alcohol misuse has been linked to more than 200 diseases and injury-related conditions, causing harm to people's health in ways they may not realize. It contributes to illnesses such as cardiomyopathy, liver cirrhosis, heart disease, and certain types of cancer, which may require nursing facility admission. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the entire body.
In the United States, over 140,000 people lose their lives due to alcohol misuse, making it one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. Alcohol misuse has been linked to more than 200 diseases and injury-related conditions, causing harm to people's health in ways they may not realize. It contributes to illnesses such as cardiomyopathy, liver cirrhosis, heart disease, and certain types of cancer, which may require nursing facility admission. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the entire body.
Benefits of Implementing an Alcohol Screening Protocol
Alcohol consumption can significantly impact the health outcomes of nursing facility residents. Screening for alcohol use at intake and routinely is crucial for identifying potential risks, avoiding withdrawal symptoms, and improving health outcomes.
Alcohol screening can help distinguish between residents with low-risk alcohol use and those with risky or harmful use. There are many benefits of alcohol screening in nursing facilities, a few of which are summarized below.
Alcohol consumption can significantly impact the health outcomes of nursing facility residents. Screening for alcohol use at intake and routinely is crucial for identifying potential risks, avoiding withdrawal symptoms, and improving health outcomes.
Alcohol screening can help distinguish between residents with low-risk alcohol use and those with risky or harmful use. There are many benefits of alcohol screening in nursing facilities, a few of which are summarized below.
- Early identification of AUDs: Alcohol screening at intake allows nursing facilities to identify residents with AUDs early on. This early identification can lead to timely interventions and treatment services to address the issue effectively.
- Individualized Care Plans: By screening for alcohol use at intake, nursing facilities can develop individualized care plans that consider the resident’s level of alcohol consumption prior to admission and allow an informed decision for treatment recommendations.
- Improved Safety: Alcohol use can increase the risk of falls, complicate other health conditions, and interact with medications. Identifying and mitigating these risks early on ensures the safety of all residents.
Alcohol Use Screening Tool
Nursing facilities that prioritize alcohol screening by making it a part of the routine intake process can enhance the quality of care for residents.
There are several screening tools available. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) is an effective and reliable screening tool used to detect risky and harmful drinking patterns. The AUDIT is a 10-item screening tool that has been validated across genders and in a wide range of racial/ethnic groups.
In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, contact the COE-NF to schedule a training for your facility on how to administer the AUDIT and other alcohol screenings. Contact us today to schedule your event.
Nursing facilities that prioritize alcohol screening by making it a part of the routine intake process can enhance the quality of care for residents.
There are several screening tools available. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) is an effective and reliable screening tool used to detect risky and harmful drinking patterns. The AUDIT is a 10-item screening tool that has been validated across genders and in a wide range of racial/ethnic groups.
In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, contact the COE-NF to schedule a training for your facility on how to administer the AUDIT and other alcohol screenings. Contact us today to schedule your event.
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National Minority Health Month
National Minority Health Month, also recognized every year in April, is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority communities and reducing health disparities. The theme for this year is “Be the Source for Better Health”
Nursing facilities cater to a wide range of racial and ethnic populations, each with unique backgrounds, cultures, and health requirements. Understanding the barriers that can lead to health disparities among these groups is crucial to eliminating those disparities.
Remember that behavioral health is part of health. Research indicates that African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have less access to mental health services, are less likely to be offered or referred to psychotherapy and are more likely to receive poor quality care when treated than do non-Hispanic whites.
During National Minority Health Month, embrace the diversity of residents and “Be the Source for Better Health.” Work with your interdisciplinary team to ensure residents from diverse communities have access to mental health and substance use health services.
Use the actionable tips created by the COE-NF to advance behavioral health equity in your facility today!
Nursing facilities cater to a wide range of racial and ethnic populations, each with unique backgrounds, cultures, and health requirements. Understanding the barriers that can lead to health disparities among these groups is crucial to eliminating those disparities.
Remember that behavioral health is part of health. Research indicates that African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have less access to mental health services, are less likely to be offered or referred to psychotherapy and are more likely to receive poor quality care when treated than do non-Hispanic whites.
During National Minority Health Month, embrace the diversity of residents and “Be the Source for Better Health.” Work with your interdisciplinary team to ensure residents from diverse communities have access to mental health and substance use health services.
Use the actionable tips created by the COE-NF to advance behavioral health equity in your facility today!
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Nursing Facility Guidance Updates: Alcohol Use and Elopement
We have discussed in previous newsletters the steps facilities should take to prevent substance misuse or overdose while a resident is in the facility, but what if the resident wants to leave the facility to satisfy their cravings?
Regarding keeping residents who have an AUD safe, the regulations state that “A situation in which a resident with decision-making capacity leaves the facility intentionally would generally not be considered an elopement unless the facility is unaware of the resident’s departure and/or whereabouts.” (Pg. 337 of the State Operations Manual).
How should facility staff prepare for the potential of an at-risk resident leaving the facility?
Upon learning that a resident has a history of AUD (or other substance use disorder):
Regarding keeping residents who have an AUD safe, the regulations state that “A situation in which a resident with decision-making capacity leaves the facility intentionally would generally not be considered an elopement unless the facility is unaware of the resident’s departure and/or whereabouts.” (Pg. 337 of the State Operations Manual).
How should facility staff prepare for the potential of an at-risk resident leaving the facility?
Upon learning that a resident has a history of AUD (or other substance use disorder):
- Assess for risks of leaving the facility to satisfy cravings and develop interventions to address the risk. These may include appropriate diversional activities, access to professional and peer support, and other individualized interventions.
- Encourage residents to talk to facility staff about their cravings and discharge planning, rather than leaving the facility in an unsafe manner.
Upon learning that a resident is expressing a desire to leave the facility to use alcohol or other substances:
- Attempt to provide other options to the resident, such as diversional activities or peer/professional support.
- Make efforts to explain the risks of an unplanned discharge – just like you would explain the risks for any other situation in which a resident is preparing to leave against medical advice (AMA).
- Provide appropriate referrals and discharge instructions whenever possible.
- Document all of the above actions and attempts in the medical record.
What Can You Do TODAY?
Due to the nature of AUD, the interest in leaving the facility to satisfy cravings can arise suddenly and at any time. Review the guidance above with staff on all shifts so that they are prepared to respond to the situation.
Due to the nature of AUD, the interest in leaving the facility to satisfy cravings can arise suddenly and at any time. Review the guidance above with staff on all shifts so that they are prepared to respond to the situation.
The COE-NF is available to support your facility in any of these guidance areas. Contact the COE-NF today:
Office Hours
Have mental illness and substance use questions? We have the answers! Join us for office hours to talk with the experts.
Managing Substance Use Disorder in Nursing Facilities
Interested in receiving expert answers to substance use challenges you are facing in your nursing facility? Join Dr. Jen Azen and Dr. Swati Gaur, Subject Matter Experts, as they answer questions related to your complex cases. No question is too small or too big!
Join our monthly office hours on the third Friday of each month from 1-1:30 p.m. ET to get answers directly from the experts working in nursing facilities!
Managing Substance Use Disorder in Nursing Facilities Office Hours begins Friday, April 19, 2024!
Audience: Appropriate for clinicians, nurses, administrators, and social workers.
CARES® Serious Mental Illness
The COE-NF is making the CARES® Serious Mental Illness™ Online Training Program available to CMS-certified nursing facilities at no cost. CARES SMI focuses on how to develop care strategies for individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness and how it differs from dementia.
Interested in learning more about CARES SMI before committing or have general questions about the program? Join our monthly office hours meeting on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 2:30-3 p.m. ET for an open discussion on implementation, benefits, case studies and successes.
Staff at all levels of care are encouraged to particpate.
Interested in learning more about CARES SMI before committing or have general questions about the program? Join our monthly office hours meeting on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 2:30-3 p.m. ET for an open discussion on implementation, benefits, case studies and successes.
Staff at all levels of care are encouraged to particpate.
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COE-NF Resource
The COE-NF developed the following resource that nursing facilities can use to educate the team about behavioral health conditions.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Bitesize Learning
Explore AUD and the signs, symptoms and dangers of withdrawal in this short video. Watch Video
Explore AUD and the signs, symptoms and dangers of withdrawal in this short video. Watch Video
Addressing Alcohol Use in Nursing Facilities
Explore the effects of alcohol on health and proactive steps nursing facility staff can take when unauthorized alcohol use occurs in facilities.Download Resource
Explore the effects of alcohol on health and proactive steps nursing facility staff can take when unauthorized alcohol use occurs in facilities.Download Resource
Four Ways Nursing Facilities Can Promote Substance Use Recovery
This resource offers guidance on how to incorporate recovery support groups for residents in nursing facilities. Download Resource
This resource offers guidance on how to incorporate recovery support groups for residents in nursing facilities. Download Resource
Interested in accessing additional COE-NF resources for your facility?
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Schizophrenia in Long-Term Care: Four-Part Series with Dr. Abhilash Desai, MD, Psychiatrist
Early registration is accepted!
We are excited to announce our May 2024 Schizophrenia in Long-Term Care four-part webinar series facilitated by Dr. Abhilash Desai, a geriatric psychiatrist and co-author of Psychiatric Consultation in Long-term Care: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals and One Day Mindfulness Millionaire: Living Mindfully.
Reserve your spot today!
Early registration is accepted!
We are excited to announce our May 2024 Schizophrenia in Long-Term Care four-part webinar series facilitated by Dr. Abhilash Desai, a geriatric psychiatrist and co-author of Psychiatric Consultation in Long-term Care: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals and One Day Mindfulness Millionaire: Living Mindfully.
Reserve your spot today!
Long-term alcohol use can affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and increase the risk of certain brain conditions, including alcohol-related dementia, pseudoparkinsonism (trembling, etc.) and peripheral neuropathy (tingling or numbness in the hands and feet).
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Seize the opportunity to enhance your expertise and enrich resident care by participating in our professional training sessions tailored just for YOU!
These sessions are being held at no cost to you.
NAB and ACCME credits will be offered for all training events
Click the REGISTER HERE buttons below each training to sign up.
See you there!
These sessions are being held at no cost to you.
NAB and ACCME credits will be offered for all training events
Click the REGISTER HERE buttons below each training to sign up.
See you there!
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
1:30-3 p.m. ET
The Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask. The answers help users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs. Users of the tool ask people:
- Whether and when they have thought about suicide (ideation)
- What actions they have taken — and when — to prepare for suicide
- Whether and when they attempted suicide or began a suicide attempt that was either interrupted by another person or stopped of their own volition.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
2-3 p.m. ET
Discover a practical approach to conducting a nursing facility behavioral health needs assessment. Learn to systematically identify the behavioral health demographics and needs of a facility’s resident population and a method for evaluating a facility’s current behavioral health services. Explore the range of behavioral health services and support that can be offered in and out of a facility to increase capacity to meet the behavioral health needs of residents. 2-3 p.m. ET
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize key components of a nursing facility behavioral health needs assessment.
- Identify key components of behavioral health services available to nursing facilities within the facility and the community.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
2–3 p.m. ET
2–3 p.m. ET
This webinar will examine the development of implicit (unconscious) bias and explore the environmental factors that may contribute to stereotyping and stigma. Participants will learn techniques to reduce bias and person-first language approaches to enhance staff and resident interactions.
Learning Objectives:
- Examine the cognitive process associated with the development of stereotypes, implicit (unconscious) bias, and stigma.
- Identify external and internal risk factors supporting implicit bias.
- Learn how bias can negatively impact communication and rapport building with residents.
- Learn strategies to eliminate implicit bias to enhance resident interactions.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
2–2:30 p.m. ET
2–2:30 p.m. ET
In this brief 30-minute training session, nursing facility staff will explore the principles of trauma-informed care and learn techniques for creating a safe environment where residents and staff can thrive.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will be able to define trauma-informed care.
- Participants will be able to recognize trauma triggers.
- Participants will learn easy-to-implement techniques for resident engagement and interactions.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
2-2:30 p.m. ET
2-2:30 p.m. ET
Are you ready to overcome challenges in implementing CLAS standards for behavioral health in nursing facilities? Join us for a 30-minute training on practical strategies and resources to address these pressing issues. Discover how to effectively integrate CLAS standards into your nursing facility practices to improve behavioral health outcomes and ensure equitable care for all.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to recognize the 15 action steps for providing CLAS standards.
- Participants will gain an awareness of practical ways to implement CLAS standards to enhance behavioral health equity.
- Participants will be able to identify resources to help improve CLAS implementation.
Friday, April 26, 2024
11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
*THIS TRAINING IS FULL*
11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
*THIS TRAINING IS FULL*
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training provides skills to engage and provide initial help and support to someone developing a mental health or substance use challenge or experiencing a crisis.
This session provides a MHFA certification for three years.
The training covers:
- Common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
- How to interact with a person in crisis.
- How to connect a person with help.
- Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.
Part 1 starts AFTER initial registration has been APPROVED by the instructor. Approved registrants will be emailed instructions on how to create an online profile using MHFA Connect and complete a pre-survey/quiz followed by a two-hour self-paced online course. Registrants MUST complete Part 1 no less than 48 hours (two business days) prior to the scheduled Part 2 session.
Part 2 is a 5.5-hour live instructor-led virtual training. Participants are required to be on camera the entire time.
Part 3 participants will return to MHFA Connect to complete the post-test and evaluation, which is required to receive a certificate of participation.
To register for the Mental Health First Aid training, please send your name, email address, agency and training date to coeinfo@allianthealth.org by Friday, April 19, 2024.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
2-3:30 p.m. ET
This 1.5-hour evidence-based live instructor-led training is held virtually and will provide a comprehensive review of a three-step approach anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. This session will provide a two-year certification to attendees.2-3:30 p.m. ET
Key Components Covered in the Training:
- How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal.
- How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide.
- The common causes of suicidal behavior.
- The warning signs of suicide.
- How to get help for someone in crisis.
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You Matter:
Emotional Wellness
Emotional Wellness
One indication of stress is tight muscles, which is why stress can result in headaches, backaches, and exhaustion. Progressive muscle relaxation is a systematic way to relax your muscles and release tension.
Take a few minutes for yourself and give progressive muscle relaxation a try. Practice the following steps:
Take a few minutes for yourself and give progressive muscle relaxation a try. Practice the following steps:
- Get into a comfortable position.
- Choose a muscle group (e.g., muscles in your feet or lower legs).
- Breathe in and tighten the muscles in the group for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Breathe out and release the muscles suddenly. Relax for at least 10 seconds.
- Repeat the process with another muscle group. It often helps to progress from head to toe or vice versa.
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Click below to answer two (2) questions and share your thoughts on this month's newsletter.
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Scan the QR code or click the button below to sign up and receive text notifications from COE-NF.
Stay up to date on COE-NF news and events.
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Stay up to date on COE-NF news and events.
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Contact us:
For more information, please call 1-844-314-1433 or email coeinfo@allianthealth.org.
To submit a request to inquire about substance use and/or mental health training options for your facility, complete the inquiry form.
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For more information, please call 1-844-314-1433 or email coeinfo@allianthealth.org.
To submit a request to inquire about substance use and/or mental health training options for your facility, complete the inquiry form.
Was this email forwarded to you? If so, please subscribe HERE.
Want to opt-out from receiving news from us? Click HEREto unsubscribe.
Click below to follow the COE-NF social media channels for resources, news and more!
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Alliant Health Solutions (AHS) was awarded a three-year cooperative agreement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to create a COE-NF. AHS has over 50 years of experience working with nursing homes and behavioral health in nursing homes.
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This newsletter was made possible by grant number 1H79SM087155 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
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