Changes in Social and Family Roles Treatment of Common Life Stage Problems of Older Adults

Social and Family Roles
Older adults face multiple normative transitions associated with aging that result in changes or losses of important social roles. When the individual’s personal identity or feelings of self-worth were tied up in a particular role, the loss of that role can be devastating. From a cognitive Behavioral perspective, the way an individual perceives these role changes and the beliefs they hold about their own value and importance outside of these roles will impact how well they negotiate the transition. For example, a person who believes that his or her life is meaningful only if they are making money may respond to retirement with thoughts about no longer having value or being needed. (more…)

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders with Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions

drug and alcohol abuse treatment
Abuse of drugs and alcohol is not uncommon among the elderly. The high rate of prescribed medication use, increased physiological sensitivity to drug effects, and the danger of interaction effects of multiple medications and/or alcohol place older adults at high risk for deliberate or accidental misuse of drugs or alcohol. In addition, some older adults turn to alcohol to help cope with stressful life events, thus increasing the risk of addiction or toxic interactions. (more…)

Anxiety Symptoms Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders with Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions

anxiety symptoms treatment
Research indicates that anxiety symptoms are more prevalent in elderly people than in any other age group, occurring at about twice the rate of younger adults. The types of anxiety disorders most common among the older population include generalized anxiety, mixed anxious-depressive syndrome symptoms, and phobias (often characterized by exaggerations of rational concerns). More rare are late-life onset of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) and panic disorders. (more…)

Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions Effectiveness with Older Adults

cognitive behavioral older adults
Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions Research documenting the efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in treating the psychological problems of older adults is encouraging. Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints (e.g., chronic pain elderly, insomnia) in multiple controlled studies. However, research also has indicated that there may be multiple variables to consider in determining whether Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions is the best approach to use with a specific patient and a specific problem. For example, differential effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions compared to other forms of psychotherapy is less certain. (more…)

Jobs for Older Workers and the Implication of Technology

jobs for older workers
Given the widespread use of technology in most occupations, one important issue concerns how the influx of technology will affect jobs for older workers and employment opportunities and the productivity for them. This issue is particularly important for today’s cohort of older workers, as they have not had the same exposure to technology that younger people have had. However, despite cohort differences, technology will continue to be a pertinent issue for future generations of older adults, as technology is dynamic and continuing to develop at an unprecedented rate. (more…)

Speech-Language Pathology: Specific Therapy Services for Elderly

speech-language pathology
Beneficiaries of the Medicare program have three rehabilitation-related benefits established by federal statute: physical therapy rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy (speech-language pathology). All therapists, who must be graduates of accredited programs, must pass a national examination and be licensed, certified, or registered in their respective professions within the state in which the services are furnished. Medicare covers services that are necessary and likely to result in improvement in a reasonable period of time. Medicare does not currently regard prevention services provided by therapists as falling under therapy benefits and will not cover services intended to maintain a current level of function. (more…)

Geriatric Rehabilitation: Physical Therapy and Principles of Rehabilitation


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The proportion of elderly at any age without any chronic conditions is small, and disease can trigger a cascade of events resulting in functional deficits and disability. An increase in the number of activities with which an elder has difficulty increases linearly with comorbidity, that is, coexistent medical conditions that further complicate not only the genesis of a functional deficit but also its treatment. For example, rehabilitation for a stroke for an individual who also has painful, degenerative changes in the foot and a low tolerance for stressful activity secondary to angina with exertion would present a particular rehabilitation challenge. Yet, this example encapsulates geriatric rehabilitation specialist’s emphasis on care and function, not cure and disease. (more…)

Elder Maltreatment Risk Factors and Statistics

Elder Maltreatment
Elder maltreatment and abuse of the elderly is found in almost all countries of the world. According to the World Health Organization, elderly abuse is expected to continue to increase, particularly as many countries experience rapidly aging populations. Throughout the world, both elderly men and women are at high risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Although older men are at risk of abuse in about the same proportion as women, elderly women are at higher risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in cultures where women are devalued. (more…)

Community-Based Care and Fillial Support: Gerontological Practise

Community-Based Care
To meet the needs of older people most countries have moved toward community-based care as a means of providing adequate and cost-effective care. Community-based care focuses around an integrated and more comprehensive approach to the special needs of older persons, their families, and the community. This type of model involves and requires inter-organizational collaboration and interdisciplinary cooperation. A community-based approach in social services and in health care is a strategic approach to meet the mounting demands for integrated health and social services for the elderly. Community health care usually includes both the health and social services sectors. (more…)

Aspects of Aging Development: Health & Physical Perspectives

Aging Development
Aging begins before we are born, is a lifelong process and continues throughout life. Throughout the life course, differing life experiences influence our capabilities and well-being in our later years. The functional capacity of our biological systems increases during the first years of life, reaches its peak in early adult-hood and naturally declines thereafter. Throughout most countries (but not all), persons experience a long childhood and a long old age. These two lengthy developmental spans have provided great utility. Throughout history, it has enabled older persons to educate the younger and pass on values to them. (more…)

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