Resident-focused training: HealthCare Interactive’s CARES® Serious Mental Illness™ Online Training Program focuses on how caregivers can develop care strategies for those with serious mental illness and how it differs from dementia.

• AHCA/NCAL members can save 15 percent on this serious mental illness (SMI) training and certification for staff members by using promo code AHCA15at check out. 

How it works: The program does a deep dive into schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, major depression, PTSD, borderline personality, and general psychosis, and provides helpful strategies for caring for people living with a SMI to become their best selves.

• The online training includes engaging content, interactive activities, case studies, and numerous real-life videos (no actors) of actual staff, experts, families, and people living with dementia and SMI.
• The training includes four modules: 

1. 1. Introduction to Serious Mental Illness 
   2. Understanding Serious Mental Illness
   3. Living with Serious Mental Illness
   4. The CARES Approach for Providing Appropriate Care 

Why it matters: For many years, CMS has led a national effort to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications, especially for people living with dementia, but there are appropriate uses of antipsychotics.

• By definition, antipsychotics are designed to help people with serious mental illnesses such as major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder.
• As such, caregivers supporting patients, residents, or loved ones with both dementia and serious mental illness need a balance of care strategies and medical treatments.

Get a preview: Watch this four-minute video training preview to learn more about this training.

• Remember to use promo code AHCA15at check out and save 15 percent off any individual registration or site license for any of the outstanding CARES online trainings.
• Contact HealthCare Interactive at (952) 928-7722 for more information.