What is Geropsychology?
Geropsychology is a
branch of psychology that focuses on older adults. Mental health needs can be
high. After all, this is an age group that faces a lot of loss: loss of
physical ability and health, loss of lifelong relationships, loss of autonomy.
It is the elderly, not the adolescent population, that is at the greatest risk
of suicide.
Adults who have lifelong
serious mental illnesses also carry them into their elder years; their care
becomes more complex with passing years. Geropsychologists work with professionals
across medical and health care disciplines.
Geropsychology is also a
branch of psychology that seeks to address the concerns of older adults. Mental
disorders, depression, anxiety , and age-related illnesses all increase the
need for older adults to seek psychological care from geropsychologists.
Geropsychology encourages older adults to live full lives well into their
senior years by providing psychotherapies and interventions to treat a variety
of disorders, aging concerns, and challenges.
It is also a field that
provides guidance for common changes that take place in these later years, such
as retirement and housing relocation issues.
Psychologists, across
specialties, are experts in assessment and evaluation. Those who focus on the
elderly often assess for cognitive decline or dementia; these findings may be
used in legal proceedings such as guardianship.
Sources
http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/topics/geropsychology.html
http://www.psychologist-license.com/types-of-psychologists/geropsychologist.html#context/api/listings
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