WHAT PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR OLDER ADULTS?
American Psychological Association
Table of Contents
Why Practitioners Need Information
- No single psychological intervention is preferred for older adults. The treatment of choice is guided by the nature of the problem, therapeutic goals, preferences of the older adult, and practical considerations. Although older people share similar generational experiences, there is considerable diversity among them. As with younger individuals, differences in race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, and social class need to be taken into account in understanding problems of older adults and in making interventions.
- Both individual and group psychotherapy appear to be effective in the treatment of older adults' psychological problems.
- Existing psychological interventions are likely beneficial to adults regardless of age. Cognitive-behavioral, brief psychodynamic, and Klerman and Weissman's interpersonal psychotherapy have been shown to be effective in the treatment of one or more late-life mental disorders. These include depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and other psychological difficulties.
- Although few studies have formally examined its efficacy in older adults, couples therapy may be an effective treatment for late-life marital or partner problems. Issues of concern raised by older adults include long-standing interpersonal differences or difficulties that arise in the context of late-life stress (e.g., one partner's physical decline and increasing dependency).
- Since family members often play an instrumental role in bringing older adults for psychological treatment in many settings, coordination with them is important. Although most theories or research studies of family therapy do not address the late-life family, family intervention may be indicated. Because of practical problems in assembling several geographically dispersed family members with competing role responsibilities (typically children), family therapy with the elderly is often dyadic (e.g., an adult child and older adult).
- Psychoeducational approaches developed particularly for family members caring for older adults with cognitive loss may be useful in helping them more successfully care for the impaired relative. Education about the nature of cognitive loss, problem-solving practical problems, and the provision of emotional support are key components of such psychoeducation. A similar psychoeducational approach may be useful for relatives caring for older adults with depressive or anxiety disorders.
- For older adults experiencing significant cognitive loss, cognitive training techniques, behavior modification, and changes in the social or physical environment may lead to improved emotional health and functioning.
- Since many people experience a diminishing of select mental abilities as they age (also called age-consistent memory decline), older adults may benefit from interventions to enhance mental performance.
