Some observations on a trend toward geriatrics in clinical psychology.

Abstract

The history of clinical psychology moved from its origins in the 19th century with an emphasis on the mental examination of children, through projective techniques and psychotherapy, to clinical work with all stages of the life cycle. The aged have been the last group to be included as a separate source of clinical work. The employment situation in the profession and science of psychology is reviewed, with trends pointing to a clinical psychology of old age. Facilities that will be at the forefront of the demand are government-supported nursing homes and long-term-care hospitals. Few clinicians are trained properly for this work, but guidelines are offered that would ameliorate the situation. (18 ref)

Geropsychology in long-term care settings.

“…It was estimated that by 1980, only one half of the needed psychologists would be available to meet the challenge of mental health services to the aging (Karpf, 1978). Increased emphasis on training in geropsychology (Storandt, Siegler, & Elias, 1978) and key services in long-term care (Noelker & Harel, 1978) are crucial.…”

Modalities of Psychotherapy with the Elderly

“…This projection process is exacerbated by a society that has been discriminatory against older persons, and that shuns old age and views death and dying with shame and disgust. One way of rationalizing a failure to treat the aged is to diagnose their illness as chronic organic brain syndrome without proper neurologic evidence (39)(40)(41)(42).…”