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Psychological Safety in the Aged Population

This course introduces learners to the vital role psychological safety plays in supporting the mental, emotional, and social well-being of older adults, particularly those in long-term care settings or receiving in-home support. Psychological safety allows aging individuals to express concerns, share thoughts, ask questions, and make mistakes without fear of ridicule or retaliation. This course explores how fostering a psychologically safe environment contributes to trust, empowerment, and improved quality of life for older adults. Caregivers, healthcare professionals, and support staff will gain insight into the unique vulnerabilities of the aging population and how to create spaces that promote dignity, respect, and authentic connection.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

Define psychological safety and explain its importance in the care of older adults.
Identify common barriers to psychological safety for aging individuals in long-term care or home-based settings.
Recognize the impact of psychological safety on the mental and emotional well-being of older adults.
Describe strategies to promote open communication, trust, and inclusiveness in caregiving environments.
Demonstrate how to respond to resident concerns, mistakes, and feedback in a non-punitive and supportive manner.
Discuss the role of leadership and organizational culture in maintaining psychologically safe environments for both residents and staff.

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychological Safety

Chapter 2: The Four Stages of Psychological Safety

Chapter 3: Examples of Psychological Safety in Practice in a Long-Term Care Facility

Chapter 4: Ensuring Psychological Safety in Long-Term Care: Roles of Caregivers, Families, and Residents

Chapter 5: How Psychological Safety Improves Resident and Staff Mental Health

Chapter 6: Relationship Between Psychological Safety and Psychological First Aid

Chapter 7: Integrating Psychological First Aid into Long-Term Care for Psychological Safety

Chapter 8: Recognize Signs of Emotional Distress Among Residents

Chapter 9: Apply Psychological First Aid (PFA) Techniques to Support Residents During Times of Crisis

Chapter 10: Develop Communication Skills for Providing Empathy, Validation, and Reassurance to Residents

Price: $18.00

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Author

Carey Peerman

Dr. Peerman earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago (2019), a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Radford University (2001), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Radford University (1998). She is a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives, a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, and a Registered Nurse. Additionally, Dr. Peerman also holds certificates in Healthcare Administration- Long Term Care from Mary Baldwin College, Executive Leadership from The University of Notre Dame, Six Sigma Green Belt/Lean DFSS from Aventa, a certificate in Gerontology from The University of Texas-Austin and is a Certified Quality Professional. She also serves as a Healthcare Consultant and is owner of Clear Edge Consulting, LLC. She is the author of Authentic Leadership: Your Journey to a Five-Star Career and The Resilient Leader: A Foundational Guide to Developing Resilient Leadership Vol.1.

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Course Accreditation

See our Accreditation Statements page to view our accreditation information.