Resources
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Welcome to the resource hub! Each resource is defined by title, description and category. You may filter by Type or Category if you are searching for something specific. Feel free to browse all of the resources below.
Description: A nursing facility with strengths in empathic communication and a multidisciplinary care approach lacked adequate awareness and training around substance use issues. To support the facility, the Center of…
Share this promotional flyer to inspire team members to become a Behavioral Health Ambassador.
Tips to help manage fear and anxiety…
This toolkit is a step-by-step guide to starting a 12-step recovery meeting within a nursing facility. It offers insights into the 12 steps, and practical resources to ensure a sustainable,…
Learn steps to expand care capacity for residents receiving methadone for Opioid Use Disorder
Identify whether methadone is prescribed for pain management or opioid use disorder.
Description: After a resident in a nursing facility serving veterans experienced an opioid overdose, it highlighted a need for staff training regarding overdose response and naloxone use. In response, the…
This step-by-step guide, developed by the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities, will help you implement a successful Behavioral Health Ambassador Program in your facility to address…
This toolkit supports COE-NF partners, stakeholders, and nursing facilities in showcasing the impact of partnership and education on improving care for nursing facility residents with behavioral health and substance use…
Description: The COE-NF provided strategies for assessing needs and providing appropriate care to this unique resident population. Case Description: The facility urgently needed support to implement interventions for a resident…
Long-term care facilities can incorporate each TIC principle without a formal TIC program. Experts who provide long-term care in Indian Country3 offered the following insights and recommendations for this process.
Discover strategies tribal facilities can incorporate to enhance the wellbeing of tribal elders.
Explore strategies for implementing a trauma informed approach in tribal nursing homes.
This resource describes key differences and overlapping symptoms between schizophrenia and dementia.
This quick reference card shows 3 steps that should be followed when responding to an opioid overdose. This quick reference card can be printed on Avery template 61611 or name…
Use ideas from the Comfort Menu to identify ways to reduce anxiety, discomfort and pain without using medications. An English and Spanish version of the resource is available for download….
Explore the steps to screen for generalized anxiety disorder.
Schizophrenia is a complicated brain disorder with a range of symptoms. Learn the facts about schizophrenia. An English and Spanish version of the resource is available for download….
Helpful tips to stop mental health stigma. An English and Spanish version of the resource is available for download….
Explore the do’s and don’ts of nonverbal communication. An English and Spanish version of the resource is available for download….
Recognize the myths vs. facts of depression. An English and Spanish version of the resource is available for download….
The techniques in the de-escalation toolkit can be used in any situation to diffuse tension, promote understanding and prevent further de-escalation. An English and Spanish version of the resource is…
Learn the facts about bipolar disorder. An English and Spanish version of the resource is available for download….
The de-escalation toolkit aims to equip staff with the knowledge and techniques necessary to prevent escalating behaviors and enhance safety within a nursing facility. The de-escalation toolkit offers clear guidance…
The substance use disorder (SUD) toolkit is used to equip staff with knowledge and skills related to the disease concept of substance use, the impact substances have on brain chemicals,…
The major depressive disorder (MDD) toolkit is used to educate nursing facility staff about MDD, including its risk factors and symptoms, as well as the appropriate steps to take when…
Explore several non-opioid pharmacological options available for pain management, including topical, oral, and injectable medications.
Implementing the CARES® Serious Mental Illness Online Training Program to meet the mental health needs of residents with diverse behavioral health needs. Case Description: The leadership of a nursing facility…
This resource provides an overview of indicators and signs of substance use disorder in nursing facility residents and suggested tips to address presenting signs and symptoms.
Nursing facility staff will develop an understanding and learn about depression, common signs and symptoms of depression, various nonpharmacological approaches for depression management, and interventions to improve depression symptoms among…
Advancing patient-centered care in hopes of improving the quality of life for residents with comorbidities. The COE-NF advocates for an empathetic approach to resident resistance. Case Description: The COE-NF regional…
Nursing facility staff will develop an understanding of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), identify common events and situations that can lead to an increase in anxiety symptoms, learn about a screening…
This resource defines anxiety, discusses its symptoms, and offers helpful tips for reducing anxiety in nursing home residents.
This flyer provides information regarding the signs and symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
This pathway is used by surveyors to determine if the facility is providing necessary behavioral, mental and or emotional health care and services to residents.
A vice president of recreation and life enrichment consulted the COE-NF to help improve the quality of care in 40 skilled nursing facilities across three states. The facilities’ representative recognized…
This tip sheet describes resources that can be used to virtually support recovery from mental/substance use disorders as well as other resources.
Evidence-based mental health training provided by the COE-NF equips nursing facility staff with the necessary tools to de-escalate incidents of aggression, thereby providing a safe and healthy environment for residents,…
Learn key skills to safely de-escalate challenging behaviors in nursing facilities.
Gain a better understanding of how to use de-escalation strategies to assist residents experiencing distress.
Gain a better understanding of the impact substance use can have on the brain and available treatment options for residents.
This flyer provides nonpharmalogical approaches to assist residents in managing their symptoms.
Understand substance use impact on the brain and behavior.
This video will define what is major depressive disorder, share the signs and symptoms of this disorder, review treatment options, and identify ways to support residents diagnosed with major depressive…
Discover how repeated substance use changes brain functioning.
Treating opioid use disorder with buprenorphine in nursing facilities.
This document will help nursing facilities to recognize the 4Rs (Realize, Recognize, Respond, and Resist Re-Traumatization) needed to create a trauma informed environment.
Learn the basics of co-occurring disorder, contributing factors and assessment strategies.
This module provides effective support tools for residents living with major depressive disorder. You’ll discover how to recognize common symptoms, warning signs, understand risk and protective factors, identify screening tools,…
Discover practical ways you can build connections with residents by employing empathy. Learn simple techniques to demonstrate empathy as well as ways empathy can help residents with mental health disorders.
Actionable strategies to advance behavioral health equity….
The Behavioral Health Needs Assessment is a tool nursing facilities can use to identify and mitigate behavioral health service gaps….
The Behavioral Health Needs Assessment is a tool nursing facilities can use to identify and mitigate behavioral health service gaps….
This video will explore alcohol use disorder and the signs, symptoms and dangers of withdrawal….
Purpose: TAPS is a screening tool used to provide information about risk in multiple categories. Description: TAPS is a brief, two-part screening for tobacco, alcohol use, prescription medication misuse and…
Purpose The ORT is a brief, self-reporting screening tool designed to assess risk for opioid abuse among individuals prescribed opioids for treatment of chronic pain Description: This tool should be…
Purpose: The AUDIT is an effective and reliable screening tool for detecting risky and harmful drinking patterns. Description: The AUDIT is a 10-item screening tool used to assess alcohol co,…
Purpose: GAD 7 measures or assesses the severity of generalized anxiety disorder. Description: The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) is a seven-item instrument that is used to measure or assess the…
Purpose: The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is used to assess depressive symptoms and screen for depression among older adults. Description: The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a self-report measure of…
Purpose: The PHQ9 is a reliable and valid measure of depression severity. Description: The PHQ-9 is a multipurpose instrument for screening, aid in diagnosing, monitoring and measuring the severity of depression….
Explore the keys to creating a trauma informed approach….
Use the PDSA worksheet to assess the effectiveness of behavioral health interventions implemented in nursing facilities….
Learn about substance use disorders and actionable steps nursing facility staff can take to support residents with this condition….
Learn about the basics of mental health, how to recognize signs and symptoms and ways to support residents with mental health conditions….
Learn tips to help residents manage the holiday blues….
Provides a checklist nursing facilities can use to reduce the impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder on residents….
Provides ways to manage symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder….
Provides an overview and management of Seasonal Affective Disorder….
This introductory fact sheet explains Medication Assistance Treatment, provides treatment strategies and practical tips for treating residents diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders….
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is much more than feeling sad or having a bad day. It is a serious mental illness (SMI) that requires understanding, compassion, and medical care….
The STOP SMILE GO technique offers a natural way to promote relaxation, reduce stress and enhance overall well-being….
This fact sheet on Fentanyl discusses pharmaceutical and Illegally Made Fentanyl, provides information on the forms that the drugs come in , gives tips to nursing staff on how Fentanyl…
Provides an overview of post traumatic stress disorder, causes, symptoms and treatment….
This course will equip you with foundational knowledge of bipolar disorder, explore the potential causes, and the impact it can have on residents….
Learn the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder….
Here are 10 tips for supporting a resident diagnosed with schizophrenia….
This introductory fact sheet explains Co-occurring Disorders, provides treatment strategies and practical tips for treating residents diagnosed with a Co-occurring disorder….
This flyer provides check points to validate the accuracy of a schizophrenia diagnosis….
This 15-minute module will give you the tools needed to support residents living with the complex disorder of schizophrenia. You’ll learn how to identify symptoms of schizophrenia, conditions that can…
Discover practical ways you can support residents living with schizophrenia. Learn about common schizophrenia symptoms and the risks and benefits of antipsychotic medications….
Use these 6 simple questions from the Columbia Protocol to Identify whether a resident is at risk for suicide. assess the severity and immediacy of that risk and determine the…
PCSS provides free waiver training to prescribers so they can obtain their waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid addiction….
This document discusses the risk of prescribing an opioid and a benzodiazepine….
This resource is a guide giving detail on why substance use screening is important in nursing facilities, recommends steps to take to set up successful screening regiments and suggest evidenced…
This resource offers guidance on how to incorporate substance use recovery supports for residents in nursing facilities….
This document reduces the stigma associated with substance use. Here is a list of preferred words….
This resource describes signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and provides a guide to detox strategies for nursing facilities….
Trauma-informed care starts with learning and understanding as much as we can about a resident’s lived experiences. Display this flyer as a daily reminder of ways staff can take a…
This guide discusses the health effects of nursing home residents drinking alcohol, provides proactive steps that staff can take when unauthorized alcohol use occurs in nursing facilities….
This flyer is a brief reference guide for nursing facility staff responding to a resident with a potential opioid overdose. This flyer is suitable for sharing with all staff or…
This material provides an introduction to Naloxone, explains why nursing facilities should have it available, provides tips on establishing a naloxone program in a nursing facility, and shares warning signs…
Naloxone is a drug that reverses respiratory depression caused by opioid overdose. Having naloxone readily available in nursing homes is an opioid harm reduction best practice that can save lives….
This flyer is suitable for sharing and using with residents and staff that are trying to manage anxiety or stress. Grounding is a way to calm worried thoughts by using…
This flyer provides a visual depiction of the effects of alcohol consumption on the different parts of the body. It is suitable for posting or sharing with staff and residents…
Gain a better understanding of older adult mental illness and learn new skills with this free, three-episode video training series. The videos are intended to boost your confidence when caring…
Mindfulness is a great tool to use when feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed. Check out the flyer for some simple steps that anyone can take to practice mindfulness….
Screening, Treatment and Important Conversations: Alliance for Aging Research pamphlet with information on Screening tools, conversations, and getting help for older adults with substance use disorders or mental health concerns….
DEA fact sheet about definition, origin, street names, how they look, overdose and legality…
NIDA infographic of medications for Opioid Overdose, Withdrawal and Addiction…
NIAAA pamphlet on stages of the addiction cycle…
SAMHSA informational pamphlet about schizophrenia’s definition, signs/symptoms and treatment…
SAMHSA informational pamphlet about bipolar disorder’s definition, signs/symptoms, types and treatment…
CMS Behavioral Health Strategy will strive to support a person’s whole emotional and mental well-being and promotes person-centered behavioral health care. Find additional guidance from CMS on Addressing and Improving…
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and promote recovery. Find resources on a variety…
Answers to your frequently asked COE-NF questions….
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