WHAT ARE GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR CONDUCTING PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS WITH OLDER ADULTS?
American Psychological Association
Table of Contents
Why Practitioners Need Information
- Many older adults are referred for psychological services at the behest of a third party, most typically a spouse, adult child, or service provider. The psychologist needs to ascertain older adults' understanding of why they are meeting with the psychologist, their possible expectations for treatment, and motivation for treatment.
- This cohort or generation of older adults' perceptions of mental health care have been shaped by historical experiences in which mental illness was much more stigmatized than today. Embarrassment or shame about receiving mental health services or concerns about psychiatric institutionalization need to be addressed more frequently among older than younger adults.
- Older adults may require more education with regard to the rationale, structure, and goals of psychological interventions than younger persons for whom there may be greater familiarity with psychotherapy.
- The psychologist needs to be attuned to sensory deficits, particularly hearing and vision loss, that may make communication more difficult. Attention to the environment in which services are provided, such as privacy, adequate lighting, temperature, ambient noise, and ease of access for persons with physical limitations, is required.
- Because older adults referred for psychological treatment often have concurrent physical or social problems, coordination with other service providers is essential. It is particularly critical to ascertain whether psychological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety) are caused or exacerbated by underlying medical problems or medications. When needed, psychologists should obtain permission from older adults or their legal guardians to contact other service providers.
- Although recent evidence indicates that psychologists are interested in providing psychological services to older adults, many psychologists need to be attentive to their own negative biases or stereotypes about older people, including their suitability for psychological treatment.
