Resources

The APA recently posted tips for first-time teachers, aimed at graduate students who are starting to teach undergraduate psychology courses. The story also includes a link to the Society for the Teaching of Psychology's website.

On February 10th, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) released the proposed draft of diagnostic criteria for DSM-5 on its website www.dsm5.org. Publication of the new DSM is scheduled for May 2013. The proposed diagnostic criteria will be available on the website for public comment until April 20, 2010. APA is inviting health professionals, consumers of mental health services, and family members to visit the site to review and comment on the draft criteria.

Great (free!) resource for family members and professional caregivers about observing and talking about pain in people with dementia, including an on-line presentation and resource packet.

The APA Office on Aging recently updated their on-line resource guide for Depression and Suicide in Older Adults. It features empirical journal articles, books, book chapters, and several links to resources for consumers.

Summer is a great time to make a dent in the pile of books that I want to read, but never get a chance to throughout the academic year. In June, I read Dr. Irvin Yalom's most recent book, "Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death." Yes, this is the type of book I read for fun. :-)

Most people don't like thinking about, let alone actually planning for, the end of their lives. The legal aspects of end-of-life planning are confusing, even for those who think their wishes are clear (see How Clear Are Your Last Wishes). Fortunately, there are many resources on the web that can help to make the process more understandable. Here are a few to check out:

Dr. Ken Pope has compiled a cross-disciplinary list of over 100 links to complete copies of codes, guidelines, and standards for psychotherapy and assessment.

CNN.com put out an article today on older adults and the dangers of polypharmacy (see "Is Grandma Drugged Up?"). It includes several links to websites where you can find lists of medications that often cause problems for older adults, check drug interactions, and find professionals who review medications.

The Alzheimer's Association recently released new information on Alzheimer's Disease in the United States. The report has a simple overview of dementia along with prevalence rates, information on family caregiving, the use and costs of care, mortality rates, and a special section on lifetime risk.