In this edited volume, researchers and clinicians come together to discuss the prevalent psychological disorders that afflict older adults. Each chapter focuses on one of the major presenting problems--anxiety, insomnia, depression, memory function, behavioral disturbances, and the consequent psychological symptoms of family caregivers--with researchers identifying successful evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for the disorders, and clinicians discussing how they tailored the EBT to the special needs and conditions of their older clients.
This book consolidates current knowledge in the field and discusses psychiatric disorders among the elderly, while bridging the gap between clinical practice and the socio-cultural contexts. The book is particularly important in the face of rapidly changing conditions globally and challenges such as migration, war and violence, diminishing physical health due to ageing and their impact on the mental health of elderly. Longevity is a great gift of medical sciences and modern health care and since the benefit of longevity comes with specific mental health issues of the elderly, this book responds to the heightened need to understand and address the mental health challenges of the elderly.
In this new release by geropsychology scholars Forrest Scogin and Avani Shah, researchers and clinicians come together in each chapter to discuss the prevalent psychological disorders that afflict this burgeoning population. Each chapter focuses on one of the major presenting problems -- anxiety, insomnia, depression, memory function, and behavioral disturbances -- with researchers identifying successful evidence- based treatments (EBTs), and clinicians discussing how their specific expertise and flexibility maximized EBT fidelity while tailoring the EBT to the special needs and conditions of their older clients. Written for clinicians who specialize in psychotherapy and counseling with older adults, this timely book will also appeal to practitioners who work with elders in assisted-living facilities or in home settings. The final chapter of the book is devoted to family caregivers who also experience psychological symptoms in caring for an older parent or other relative.
"The Oxford Handbook of Geropsychology provides students and experienced clinicians and clinical researchers alike with a comprehensive and contemporary overview of developments in the field of geropsychology. Informed by an international perspective, the introductory section covers demographics, meta-analyses in geropsychology, social capital and gender, cognitive development, and ageing. Sections on assessment and formulation include chapters on interviewing older people, psychological assessment strategies, capacity and suicidal ideation, and understanding long term care environments. Psychological distress and their causes are reviewed with chapters focusing upon late-life depression and anxiety, psychosis, and personality disorders. In this section, neuropsychiatric approaches to working with older people and risk factors relating to cognitive health are reviewed. Intervention strategies covered include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and family therapy. Interprofessional teamwork and aspects of work with persons with dementia (PwD), caregivers, and care staff, are also covered. Chapters on interventions address specific populations such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older persons, people with physical and psychological comorbidities, and those experiencing grief and bereavement. Finally, this Handbook explores new horizons, including positive ageing, exercise and health promotion, and the use of new media such as online and virtual reality interactive technologies in clinical research and practice with older adults." -- From the Amazon
This Third Edition of the bestselling Psychotherapy with Older Adults continues to offer students and professionals a thorough overview of psychotherapy with older adults. Using the contextual, cohort-based, maturity, specific challenge (CCMSC) model, it draws upon findings from scientific gerontology and life-span developmental psychology to describe how psychotherapy needs to be adapted for work with older adults, as well as when it is similar to therapeutic work with younger adults. Sensitively linking both research and experience, author Bob G. Knight provides a practical account of the knowledge, technique, and skills necessary to work with older adults in a therapeutic relationship. This volume considers the essentials of gerontology as well as the nature of therapy in depth, focusing on special content areas and common themes. Psychotherapy with Older Adults includes a comprehensive discussion of assessment and options for intervention. Numerous case examples illustrate the dynamics of the therapeutic task and issues covered in therapy and stress the human element in working with older adults. A concluding chapter considers ethical questions and the future of psychotherapy with older adults. The author has updated the Third Edition to reflect new research findings and has written two entirely new chapters covering psychotherapy with persons with dementia and psychotherapy with caregivers of frail older adults. Since its initial publication in 1986, the book has been used as a course text and a professional reference around the world, including translations into French, Dutch, Chinese, and Japanese. It is a vital resource for practicing therapists and counselors who work with older adults and is also ideally suited as a text for advanced students in psychology, social work, gerontology, and nursing. Praise for Previous Editions: "Bob G. Knight′s largest contribution is his excellent discussion of therapy. The book is clearly written, with a good use of summaries and case examples to clarify the major points. By linking research findings to practice experience, Knight has provided a pragmatic introduction which should be helpful to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses working with older adults." —JOURNAL OF APPLIED GERONTOLOGY "I recommend this book to anyone interested in working with the elderly, partly because of the content and partly because the author presents the case for doing psychotherapy with the elderly with realism and enthusiasm." —BEHAVIOR RESEARCH & THERAPY
Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population. Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual's circumstances and perceptions. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity. As older adults are particularly high-volume and high-frequency users of the health care system, there is an opportunity for health care professionals to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults summarizes the evidence base and explores how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. This report makes recommendations specifically for clinical settings of health care to identify those who suffer the resultant negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness and target interventions to improve their social conditions. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults considers clinical tools and methodologies, better education and training for the health care workforce, and dissemination and implementation that will be important for translating research into practice, especially as the evidence base for effective interventions continues to flourish.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is now well established as an effective treatment for a range of mental health problems, but for clinicians working with older clients, there are particular issues that need to be addressed. Topics covered include the need to build a therapeutic relationship, dealing with stereotypical thinking about ageing, setting realistic expectations in the face of deteriorating medical conditions, maintaining hope when faced with difficult life events such as the loss of a spouse, disability, etc., and dealing with the therapist's own fears about ageing. Illustrated throughout with case studies, practical solutions and with a troubleshooting section, this is essential reading for all clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and related health professionals who work with older people. * Authors are world authorities on depression and psychotherapy with older people * First book to be published on CBT with older people * Case studies and examples used throughout to illustrate the method and the problems of older people
This open access book provides a comprehensive perspective on the concept of ageism, its origins, the manifestation and consequences of ageism, as well as ways to respond to and research ageism. The book represents a collaborative effort of researchers from over 20 countries and a variety of disciplines, including, psychology, sociology, gerontology, geriatrics, pharmacology, law, geography, design, engineering, policy and media studies. The contributors have collaborated to produce a truly stimulating and educating book on ageism which brings a clear overview of the state of the art in the field. The book serves as a catalyst to generate research, policy and public interest in the field of ageism and to reconstruct the image of old age and will be of interest to researchers and students in gerontology and geriatrics.
Throughout the world, the population of older adults continues to grow. The rise in geriatric populations has seen an increase in research on clinical diagnostic, assessment, and treatment issues aimed at this population. Clinical geropsychologists have increased their interest both in providing mental health services as well as developing approaches to improve quality of life for all older adults. The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Geropsychology is a landmark publication in this field, providing broad and authoritative coverage of the research and practice issues in clinical geropsychology today, as well as innovations expanding the field's horizons. Comprising chapters from the foremost scholars in clinical geropsychology from around the world, the handbook captures the global proliferation of activity in this field. In addition to core sections on topics such as sources of psychological distress, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention, the handbook includes valuable chapters devoted to methodological issues such as longitudinal studies and meta-analyses in the field, as well as new and emerging issues such as technological innovations and social media use in older populations. Each chapter offers a review of the most pertinent international literature, outlining current issues as well as important cultural implications and key practice issues where relevant, and identifying possibilities for future research and policy applications. The book is essential to all psychology researchers, practitioners, educators, and students with an interest in the mental health of older adults. In addition, health professionals - including psychiatrists, social workers, mental health nurses, and trainee geriatric mental heatlh workers - will find this a invaluable resource. Older adults comprise a growing percentage of the population worldwide. Clinical psychologists with an interest in older populations have increased the amount of research and applied knowledge about effectively improving mental health later in life, and this book captures that information on an international level. The book addresses how to diagnose, assess and treat mental illness in older persons, as well as ways to improve quality of life in all older persons. It has a great breadth of coverage of the area, including chapters spanning how research is conducted to how new technologies such as virtual reality and social media are used with older people to improve mental health. The book would appeal to all psychology researchers, practitioners, educators and students with an interest in the mental health of older adults. It would also appeal to other health professionals, including psychiatrists, social workers, and mental health nurses who work with older people. It is a valuable resource for trainee geriatric mental health workers because it highlights key readings and important practice implications in the field.
