Ebook: Geropsychology and Long Term Care: A Practitioner's Guide

Geropsychology and Long Term Care

A Practitioner’s Guide

Edited by Erlene Rosowsky, Boston, MA, Joseph M. Casciani, San Diego, CA, and Merla Arnold, Huntington Station, NY

Among the growing population living in nursing homes and assisted-living communities, emotional and behavioral problems are frequently undiagnosed and unaddressed. Increased interest in these elders’ quality of life has brought geropsychology to the fore as a major specialty, as evinced by Psychologists in Long-Term Care (PLTC). This organization has been instrumental in establishing standards for appropriate, respectful, and ethical care, and developing education and training resources for professionals. Geropsychology and Long Term Care is just such a resource, aimed at practitioners at all levels of experience, regardless of theoretical orientation. The contributors, all experts affiliated with PLTC, offer coverage that is up-to-date, readily accessible, and eminently useful, whether the reader needs information on bedrock skills, multidisciplinary treatment, privacy issues, or the way facilities are run.

Among the topics covered:

• Common psychological disorders in long-term care, and their prevalence.
• Federal policy issues affecting care delivery.
• Funding and referral processes in nursing homes.
• Assessment tools commonly used with elders in long-term care.
• Treatment plans and process, including the integration of psychiatric medicine into therapy.
• Types of LTC providers, their training, and their roles in multidisciplinary care.
• Outcomes measurement and Medicare documentation.

Geropsychology and Long Term Care serves a variety of purposes: a meticulous introduction for the new (or new-to-the-specialty) clinician, a practical update for the seasoned professional, a helpful teaching manual for the trainer, a critical adjunct for the trainee.

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The ever-increasing population of older adults residing in nursing homes and long-term care communities, as reflected in numerous demographic studies, point out a clear need for geropsychologists i.e., trained specialists in the field of aging and mental health, to meet the needs of this nation’s older adults. This book will provide a needed resource for psychologists working in long-term care settings and those who wish to do so. Key outcomes include the provision of high quality psychological services for this important but neglected sector namely, people living in nursing homes, assisted living communities and other LTC settings. This text will be of great value to psychologists currently working in long-term care settings who have had graduate work in geropsychology, yet desire more in-depth and practical training. A second audience includes those individuals who may have a leaning towards expanding their professional activities in long-term care and are seeking additional preparation before doing more work with older adults. A third group is comprised of those individuals who are not psychologists, yet have had some training and coursework in aging and mental health.