Objectives
Circadian Rhythms and Sleep (90 minutes)

• Identify the effects of poor sleep on older adults’ physical and cognitive health, including increased inflammation, pain, and dysregulated blood sugar.
• Explain the relationship between sleep disruption and emotional/behavioral changes such as irritability, reduced energy, and cognitive fog.
• Analyze common causes of circadian rhythm disruption in older adults (e.g., nocturia, reflux, medication schedules, poor lighting).
• Apply evidence-based strategies to improve sleep hygiene and circadian rhythm regulation in older adults.

Nutrition for the Older Adult (90 minutes)

• Describe how changes in nutrient absorption and utilization in older adults affect stress, cognition, and chronic illness progression.
• Identify specific nutrient deficiencies (Vitamin D, B12, iron, calcium, fiber) and their role in worsening cognitive and emotional wellbeing.
• Explain the connection between dehydration, constipation, and symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, and brain fog in older adults.
• Implement strategies to improve hydration and bowel function that support resident behavior, cognition, and mood stability.
• Recognize sensory changes (taste, smell, swallowing difficulties) that contribute to reduced food intake in older adults.
• Develop individualized strategies to enhance nutrition and increase healthy food intake in collaboration with occupational therapy.

Oral Health and Cognition (30 minutes)

• Describe how oral health problems (tooth loss, gum disease, dry mouth) contribute to inflammation, pain, and cognitive decline.
• Identify practical interventions to address oral health challenges and support older adult wellbeing.

Hearing Loss and Resident Wellbeing (30 minutes)

• Explain how hearing loss impacts cognition, balance, mood, energy levels, and blood sugar regulation.
• Evaluate interventions (environmental modifications, hearing aids, apps) to improve communication and reduce isolation in older adults with hearing loss.

Creating Safe and Empowering Environments (30 minutes)

• Identify the impact of sensory changes, trauma history, and perceived lack of safety on resident stress and behavior.
• Apply trauma-informed approaches to reduce triggers and promote empowerment for older adults.
• Develop environmental strategies to address sensory sensitivities related to noise, lighting, movement, and smells.

Addressing Nervous System Dysregulation (60 minutes)

• Recognize signs of sympathetic nervous system dominance in older adults (e.g., irritability, agitation, restlessness).
• Apply strategies such as redirection, restructuring, and distress tolerance techniques to reduce agitation and improve resident regulation.

Putting It Together: Behaviors as Communication (30 minutes)

• Interpret challenging resident behaviors through a lens of physical, emotional, or environmental unmet needs.
• Use backward chaining to identify triggers contributing to stress responses and difficult behaviors.
• Apply effective communication strategies to explore physical issues (pain, illness), emotional concerns, and environmental stressors.
• Demonstrate skills in case-based application by analyzing a resident scenario and identifying the underlying needs behind the behavior.
• Integrate strategies across sleep, nutrition, oral health, sensory adjustments, and trauma-informed care to create holistic care plans that enhance resident wellbeing.

Note: This course is presented via live webinar. You must actively participate during the course in addition to passing an end of course quiz.
Additional Note: In Tennessee, online, interactive training courses are acceptable as continuing education for Assisted Care Living Facility Administratorshttps://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/hfc/documents/HFC-BLHCF_Interpretive_Guidelines.pdf (Page 14)