Mental Health Issues in Long-Term Care

Marshalltown, IA US
May 7, 2026 to May 8, 2026

Registration


The Mental Health Issues in Long-Term Care conference will be held in person at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, IA, and streamed live online via Zoom. 

Cost

  • Thursday only: $50 (In-Person or Online)
  • Friday only: $100 (In-Person or Online)
  • Both days (Thursday + Friday): $150 (Any combination of In-Person and Online)

Iowa Veterans Home employees can attend at a discounted rate. Please email Carol Tripp at [email protected] for more information. 

Before enrolling in this educational activity, you must log in or create an account. 

Once logged in, please select the "REGISTER" tab to process your payment and complete your registration.
 

Target Audience

Any clinician, caregiver, or administrator committed to supporting the psychological well-being of older adults, particularly those who reside in long-term care facilities.

Purpose

As America ages, there will be a greater demand to address the mental health needs of seniors, especially those who reside in long-term care facilities. This conference will provide useful information to clinicians, caregivers, and administrators who work with this population in order to strengthen their behavioral health management skills.

Agenda

All times listed are in Central Time. The agenda is subject to change.

Thursday, May 7, 2026
Attend in person at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, IA, or online via Zoom.
3.0 continuing education credits.
12:30 pmRegistration
1:00 pm 

Psychopharmacologic Treatment of the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia 

Ryan Carnahan, PharmD, MS, BCPP
Professor of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa College of Public Health
Project Director, Iowa Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program

Douglas Steenblock, MD
Chief of Mental Health Services, Iowa Veterans Home

  1. Describe the various types of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
  2. Review the evidence for using psychiatric medications to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
  3. Recognize the risks and adverse effects related to psychiatric medications when used to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
  4. Summarize the federal regulations governing the use of psychiatric medications in long-term care settings.
2:30 pmBreak
2:45 pm

Psychopharmacologic Treatment of the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (Continued) 

4:15 pm

Adjourn

Friday, May 8, 2026

Attend in person at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, IA, or online via Zoom.
6.0 continuing education credits.

8:00 am

Registration and Breakfast

8:20 am

Welcome 

Todd Jacobus
Commandant, Iowa Veterans Home
Director, Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs

8:30 am

Management of Anxiety Disorders in Seniors, Part I: Medications

Douglas Steenblock, MD
Chief of Mental Health Services, Iowa Veterans Home

  1. Review the diagnostic criteria for the most common types of anxiety disorders.
  2. Summarize the treatment of anxiety disorders with medication.
  3. Describe the possible adverse effects and risks associated with medications used to treat anxiety in the geriatric population.

9:30 am

Break

9:45 am

Management of Anxiety Disorders in Seniors, Part II: Beyond Medications

Nate Wolken, LMHC
Behavioral Health Professional, Iowa Veterans Home

  1. Explain the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms that maintain anxiety.
  2. Describe the role of psychotherapy in addressing anxiety.
  3. Recognize how staff responses and routines influence anxiety symptoms.
  4. Implement evidence-based, non-pharmacological interventions in daily resident care.

10:45 am

Break

11:00 am

Where Mental Health and the Spiritual Journey Meet: Care for Residents and Care for Self

Mark Minear, PhD
Licensed Psychologist, Mind & Spirit Counseling Center

  1. Explain how every person shares a human condition, including a universal experience we will call spiritual. 
  2. Describe how our own personal journeys can be more emotionally grounded and spiritually centered in our lives. 
  3. Discuss strategies to implement loving kindness, compassion, and nonjudgment in our relationships, especially with those whom we serve or for whom we care.  

12:00 pm

Lunch

1:00 pm

The Impact of Media Exposure on the Mental Health of Older Adults

Derek Hess, JD, PhD
Clinical Director and Licensed Psychologist, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Meghan McCoy-Hess, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Midwest Mindful Health, PLLC

  1. Describe current trends in media exposure and consumption among older adults.
  2. Explain the positive and negative psychological impacts of media exposure on older adults, including unique experiences for Veterans.
  3. Analyze the legal and ethical considerations for managing media use in a long‑term residential care environment.
  4. Apply five practical, evidence‑informed strategies that caregivers can implement to help older adults, and themselves, maintain healthy and balanced media consumption habits.

2:30 pm

Break

2:45 pm

Assisting Elders with Transitions: Challenges and Opportunities

Christopher Sparks, LISW
Behavioral Health Professional, Iowa Veterans Home

  1. Identify significant life stages and transitions in established research.
  2. Review significant life stage transitions and their challenges.
  3. Identify changing perspectives and evolving research on life transitions.
  4. Review specific transition challenges faced by people who are aging and entering long-term care.
  5. Discuss strategies for supporting older adults through challenging transitions.

3:45 pm 

Multidisciplinary Panel Discussion

Douglas Steenblock, MD (Moderator)

Kimberly Bratland, BSN, Clinical Support Director, Iowa Veterans Home

Sarah Bruner, BSN, RN, Administrator of Nursing, Iowa Veterans Home

Joseph Hoagbin, MD, Medical Director and Medical Bureau Chief, Iowa Veterans Home

Kelley Oetker, RN, LNHA, Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Iowa Veterans Home

Christopher Sparks, LISW

Nate Wolken, LMHC

4:15 pm

Adjourn

4:15 pm

Optional Tour of Iowa Veterans Home

    Course summary
    Available credit: 
    • 9.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
    • 9.00 AOA Category 2­A
    • 9.00 CE Contact Hour(s)
    • 9.00 NASW
    Course opens: 
    01/26/2026
    Course expires: 
    05/08/2026
    Event starts: 
    05/07/2026 - 1:00pm CDT
    Event ends: 
    05/08/2026 - 4:15pm CDT
    Cost:
    $150.00
    Add to calendar: 
    Rating: 
    0
    Iowa Veterans Home
    1301 Summit St.
    Whitehill Auditorium
    Marshalltown, IA 50158
    United States
    +1 (641) 752-1501
    Website

    The Iowa Veterans Home is at 1301 Summit Street, Marshalltown, Iowa. Individuals should enter at the West Entrance, west of the corner of 13th Street and Summit. On the map below, this is shown as Independence Road. Go to the far north end of the entrance road and turn right into the large parking lot. The conference will be held in Whitehill Auditorium (Building #10 on the map). Handicapped parking is available across the street south of the cottages (#11), in the southeast corner of the lot immediately north of the cottages (#11), and in the gift shop parking lot.

    Douglas Steenblock, MD 
    (Activity Director and Speaker)
    Chief of Mental Health Services,
    Iowa Veterans Home

    Kimberly Bratland, BSN
    Clinical Support Director,
    Iowa Veterans Home

    Sarah Bruner, BSN, RN
    Administrator of Nursing,
    Iowa Veterans Home

    Ryan Carnahan, PharmD, MS, BCPP
    Professor of Epidemiology,
    The University of Iowa College of Public Health
    Project Director,
    Iowa Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program

    Derek Hess, JD, PhD
    Clinical Director and Licensed Psychologist,
    Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

    Joseph Hoagbin, MD
    Medical Director and Medical Bureau Chief,
    Iowa Veterans Home

    Meghan McCoy-Hess, PhD
    Licensed Clinical Psychologist,
    Midwest Mindful Health, PLLC

    Mark Minear, PhD
    Licensed Psychologist,
    Mind & Spirit Counseling Center

    Kelley Oetker, RN, Provisional LNHA
    Licensed Nursing Administrator,
    Iowa Veterans Home

    Christopher Sparks, LISW
    Psychologist,
    Iowa Veterans Home

    Nate Wolken, MA, LMHC
    Psychologist,
    Iowa Veterans Home

    		 

    ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS

    • MD: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) through the joint providership of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) and Iowa Veterans Home. DMU designates this live activity for 9.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
    • DO: Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. DMU designates this activity for a maximum of 9.0 AOA Category 2-A credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity.
    • Social Workers: The NASW Iowa Chapter has determined that this program meets continuing education criteria as outlined by Iowa Administrative Rule for social workers for hours (05/07/26-3.0 and 05/08/26-6.0) of continuing education for attending.
    • Other healthcare providers: This activity is designated for 9.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

    EDUCATIONAL GRANTS

    No ineligible company provided financial support for this continuing education activity. 

    DISCLOSURE

    The speaker(s) will disclose if any pharmaceuticals, medical procedures, and devices discussed are investigational or unapproved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The determination of educational content and the selection of speakers is the responsibility of the activity director. 

    Relevant to the content of this educational activity, the following individuals have no conflict(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Kimberly Bratland, BSN - Panel Member
    • Sarah Bruner, BSN, RN - Panel Member
    • Wendy Eldridge - Activity Coordinator and Planning Committee Member
    • Derek Hess, JD, PhD - Speaker
    • Joseph Hoagbin, MD - Panel Member
    • Meghan McCoy-Hess, PhD - Speaker
    • Mark Minear, PhD - Speaker
    • Kelley Oetker, RN, LNHA - Panel Member
    • Christopher Sparks, LISW - Panel Member and Speaker
    • Carol Tripp, MA, MMin - Activity Coordinator and Planning Committee Member
    • Nate Wolken, LMHC - Speaker

    Relevant to the content of this educational activity, the following individual(s) do not have a financial relationship with an ineligible company; however, they intend to discuss the off-label use of a commercial product or device and agree to inform learners. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

    • Ryan Carnahan, PharmD, MS, BCPP - Speaker
    • Douglas Steenblock, MD - Activity Director, Planning Committee Member, and Speaker

    DISCLAIMER

    The information provided in this activity is for continuing education purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. 

    Available Credit

    • 9.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
    • 9.00 AOA Category 2­A
    • 9.00 CE Contact Hour(s)
    • 9.00 NASW

    Price

    Cost:
    $150.00
    Please login or Create an Account to take this course.

    CANCELLATION POLICY

    • All cancellations must be received in writing at [email protected].
    • A nonrefundable administrative fee of $20 will be charged for all cancellations.
    • No refunds will be given three (3) business days before the activity start date.
    • Canceled registrations can be transferred to another individual for the same activity.
    • Individuals who fail to attend the activity (no-shows) will not receive any refund. Forfeited fees may not be applied to any other activity.