This webinar will discuss the prevalence of suicide among older adults as well as the unique risk factors present for an aging population both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers will highlight two community-based interventions.

This workshop will cover the similarities and differences between these chronic conditions and discuss solutions to minimize disease risk and impact through evidence-based programs for physical activity, falls prevention, and self-management education.

Peer support is an effective recovery intervention for older adults with mental health conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of telephonic and digital technologies to deliver mental health services. This webinar will present efforts to bring research to practice in the use of telehealth technology to provide peer support for older adults. Cynthia Zubritsky will provide an overview of telehealth in behavioral healthcare and describe how training for Certified Older Adult Peer Specialists (COAPS) has been adapted to use virtual approaches. Robert Walker will demonstrate how training on the use of digital technology has been put into practice in Massachusetts, and address how the delivery of peer support using these methods is reimbursable under the Medicaid waiver for Home and Community-Based Services.