The Age Wave: Understanding the Diversity and Needs of Older Clients
The Age Wave: Understanding the Diversity and Needs of Older Clients
One of the most striking aspects of working with older adults is the need to go beyond an individual focus to develop a multidisciplinary approach that involves the medical, family, and social systems of the client. Christian counselors have a unique opportunity to enhance these multidimensional goals by providing an additional focus on clients spiritual and religious old_resources as well as drawing on the church community for support and care. A finding often ignored by mental health professionals is that religion plays a significant role in the lives of older adults. In fact, it has been reported that religious affiliation is the most common form of organizational participation among older adults, with 50% attending religious services weekly.
What Mental Health Professionals Should Know about older Adults The majority of older adults manage to face problems and overcome them effectively, but others will need help facing the challenges of aging. Depression and anxiety should not be considered normal conditions of the elderly. These are treatable disorders. In fact, older people evidence fewer diagnosable psychiatric disorders than younger persons. Only cognitive impairment (dementia, delirium) shows a definite age-associated increase in incidence. What information, then, should counselors have to provide useful and competent help to older clients?