Why Is It Important To Work With Older Adults
1) This publication is designed to give psychologists and other health care providers important information to help guide their
Work with older adults.
Clinicians need to know more about this age group because the number and proportion of older adults in the population are
Increasing and more psychologists will be called upon to deliver psychological services to them.
Older adults are defined as persons 65 years of age and older. The population of older Americans is itself getting older. The
“Oldest old” group, those 85 years and older, is increasing faster than any other age group. Unfortunately, there are numerous negative stereotypes about older people. The reality is that most older people live independently and maintain close
Relationships …show more content…
While there is some degree of cognitive impairment, cognitive changes in older adults are highly variable from one person to another, but can include decline in information processing speed and memory problems. These changes do not typically interfere with daily living. Because a large number of older adults take several medications, drug interactions and drug side effects are more common than in younger age groups.
In assessing an older adult, the practitioner may have to modify the testing environment to assure optimal performance. Any assessment of an older adult should include the client’s current mental status, cognitive ability, social supports available to the client, the client’s medical status, and, if cognitive impairment is suspected, interviews with family members and close friends.
2) Appearance
The most obvious change in the elderly is their physical appearance, which shows the skin thinning and wrinkles becoming prevalent. Wrinkles become more severe with age because the skin no longer has elasticity due to the reduction in the production of
Work with older adults.
Clinicians need to know more about this age group because the number and proportion of older adults in the population are
Increasing and more psychologists will be called upon to deliver psychological services to them.
Older adults are defined as persons 65 years of age and older. The population of older Americans is itself getting older. The
“Oldest old” group, those 85 years and older, is increasing faster than any other age group. Unfortunately, there are numerous negative stereotypes about older people. The reality is that most older people live independently and maintain close
Relationships …show more content…
While there is some degree of cognitive impairment, cognitive changes in older adults are highly variable from one person to another, but can include decline in information processing speed and memory problems. These changes do not typically interfere with daily living. Because a large number of older adults take several medications, drug interactions and drug side effects are more common than in younger age groups.
In assessing an older adult, the practitioner may have to modify the testing environment to assure optimal performance. Any assessment of an older adult should include the client’s current mental status, cognitive ability, social supports available to the client, the client’s medical status, and, if cognitive impairment is suspected, interviews with family members and close friends.
2) Appearance
The most obvious change in the elderly is their physical appearance, which shows the skin thinning and wrinkles becoming prevalent. Wrinkles become more severe with age because the skin no longer has elasticity due to the reduction in the production of