In contemporary Western societies, the aging population poses new challenges both to the policies and to the support systems for older persons. In Portugal, where the phenomena have a major impact, a new professional profile, the gerontologist, has emerged. These professionals have an academic background that corresponds to the 1st cycle degree at…

Medicare spending is expected to increase by 79% between the years 2010 and 2020, caused, in-part, by hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge. This study identified factors contributing to hospital readmissions in a midwest heath service area (HSA), using Coleman's Transition Care Model as the theoretical framework. The researchers…

To discuss the relationship between residents and the management team, we must first review the transition from a medical model to a social model of care that is sweeping across America. Long-term care (LTC) management models were developed for a very autocratic and hierarchical style of management based in the 1960s. Those facilities were built…

Purpose: The Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) curriculum was developed as an adjunct to other educational initiatives that were part of Ontario, Canada's Alzheimer Strategy. GPA emphasizes that an individual's unique personal history has a direct application to the interpretation of and response to their behavior. It incorporates strategies into…

Notes that older persons underuse community-based and outpatient mental health services, yet are overrepresented in inpatient facilities. Argues for increased programing targeted for elderly client. Advocates use of multimodal model as efficient method of service delivery and provides sample case study using BASIC ID (Behavior, Affect, Sensation,…

Asserts that working with older adults requires specialized preparation in professional ethics. Presents rationale for including specialized ethics training in counseling programs preparing mental health professional to work with older adults, and discusses one way in which this training might be accomplished. (Author/NB)

Emphasizes need for feminization of geriatric mental health and calls attention to issues for older women. Warns that few mental health professionals are knowledgeable about gender differences in development or about late life development/aging. Notes that therapists who rely on personal experience with older persons, both positive and negative,…

Describes how counselors can prepare for hearing problems among their older clients. Notes six ways to improve physical environment and suggests five behavioral techniques. Some useful group techniques are noted and threats to group cohesion are described. Four useful information sources are provided for further assistance in dealing with hearing…

Explains how group work can be used as treatment approach to physical and mental well-being in the elderly. Focuses on use of group counseling to enhance exercise participation and compliance among older adults. Addresses physical aging and exercise, guidelines for a group counseling and exercise program, and issues in counseling the older adult.…

Identifies various approaches to providing preparation for counselors working with older adults, including the integrated, separate course, concentration, and interdisciplinary models. Discusses advantages and disadvantages of each model of gerontological counseling. (Author/ABB)

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explore how medical care is delivered to older people in assisted living (AL) settings and to suggest ways for improving it. Design and Methods: We present a review of the limited research available on health care for older AL residents and on building testable models of better ways to organize primary…

The housing industry for the elderly has changed from being primarily the effort of charitable organizations to include a large number of for-profit businesses. Psychologists interested in dealing with this industry will have to be aggressive. Important considerations include the following: (1) managers make decisions about finances, products, and…

Presents theory and techniques of "Early Recollections," one source of projective material useful to any mental health counselor. Pays particular attention to concrete suggestions for counseling with older persons. Uses illustrations from actual interviews to highlight specific techniques that make more meaningful, potentially positive,…

Discusses rationale for life review, considering its advantages and limitations, and making suggestions concerning how to conduct review. Notes that technique can be used with various populations: for community-living, intact older people, life review can be valuable adjunct to life planning; for more frail population, life review can help people…

Discusses psychological theory and clinical reports which support the usefulness of the genogram when counseling older adults. Describes therapeutic benefits embedded in both the process of genogram interview and data produced. Uses case examples to illustrate how genogram can illuminate issues for the counselor and promote psychological growth…