Innovating to meet the needs of our aging population.

Abstract

The population of the United States is rapidly aging. As the number of older adults increases, their mental health needs increase as well. With this, the need for mental health practitioners to possess the necessary competence to meet the diverse needs of older adults also increases. The characteristics and needs of the older adult population are reviewed to include healthy aging, disorders and challenges associated with the aging process, and related treatment needs are addressed. Steps for obtaining and maintaining the competence to effectively provide clinical services to the older adult population are explained along with a review of the APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Older Adults (APA, 2014). The needs of caregivers and both ethics and legal issues relevant to the treatment of older adults are emphasized. The role of interprofessional practice and active collaboration with other health care providers is explained. Recommendations are made for the mental health professions, for practicing mental health clinicians, and for mental health clinicians in training to take needed action now to meet the mental health needs of this population.

İleri Yetişkinlerle Çalışan ve Araştırma Yapan Psikologların Dikkat Etmesi Gereken Etik Konular

“…Psikoloğun bu bilgilere sahip olması, belirli sorunların yaş ile ilişkili normatif değişikliklerin doğal bir sonucu olduğu önyargısından kurtulmasını ve daha objektif bir bakış açısıyla durumu değerlendirmesini sağlayabilmesi açısından oldukça önemlidir. Ayrıca ileri yetişkinlik döneminde normatif ve normatif olmayan değişiklikler, bu dönemde yaygın olarak görülen hastalıklar (örn., eklem iltihabı ve damar hastalıkları) ve kullanılan ilaçlar konusunda yeterli bilgiye sahip olmanın, belirtilen ya da tespit edilen sorunların neden kaynaklandığını (ruhsal ya da fiziksel) anlamada yardımcı olabileceği belirtilmektedir (Barnett ve Quenzel, 2017). Bunun yanı sıra, Molinari ve arkadaşları (2003) (Karel ve ark., 2010).…”

“…Some suggestions for psychologists in the guidelines are: (a) to be aware of the individual differences among older adults, (b) to know related measurement instruments for this age group, and (c) to be aware of one's own attitudes regarding older adults (APA, 2004;2014). In addition, it is suggested for related psychologists to know normative and nonnormative changes, common health problems (e.g., arthritis) and medications in older adulthood in order to correctly de-fine the reasons behind the problems (physical vs. psychological) (Barnett & Quenzel, 2017). Another widely cited resource that is suggested for psychologists working with older adults is The Pikes Peak model (Knight et al, 2009).…”

Criminal Behavior among the Elderly: A Look into What People Think about This Emerging Topic

“…In the United States, the population is aging dramatically. Projections estimate that by 2020 Americans aged 55 years and older will make up around 30% of the population [2] and by the year 2050 around 21% of the American population will be 65 years of age or older [3]. If the projections hold true, and they appear to be doing just that, we can expect about 1 out every 5 Americans to be 65 years of age or older by the year 2030 [4].…”

“…According to Barnett and Quenzel (2017), 10,000 people in America turn 65 every single day and this trend will continue until the year 2030 [3]. Research has also predicted that by the year 2050 there will be almost 84 million Americans 65 years of age and older, which will constitute approximately 21% of the U.S. population [3] [6]. Gross be "geriatric" [6].…”

You can’t treat older people without “getting old” yourself: A grounded theory analysis of countertransference in psychotherapy with older adults.

“…Increasing life expectancy and declining mortality rates in the last decades in high-income countries, combined with declining fertility rates, have resulted in aging of the global population (World Health Organization, 2015). As the population of older people continues to increase and gain access to information about the benefits of psychotherapy, and as the current generation of younger adults (who are more accustomed to using Psychological Services) ages, a growing number of older adults will seek Psychological Services (American Psychological Association [APA], 2014; Barnett & Quenzel, 2017; Laidlaw & Pachana, 2009).…”