How can we improve the quality of life of an aging person? How can a geriatric physician and a geriatric counselor can work as a team. Who else are the other professionals to be included in the geriatric care team? What are the problems faced by the elderly? These are some of the questions we are trying to find an answer for. Caring for elder persons is getting more and more importance as the number of old people are increasing these days. Relatives alone can't meet the challenges of caring for the old. You need professional who can understand and render proper help in this regard. So geriatric counseling is getting more and more acceptance. Alzheimer's Syndrome, senile dementia, rheumatic pains, feeling of alienation etc are some of the problems counselor have to cope up with.

1. What's Geriatrics Babu Appat

2. Geron in Greek means old MAN

3. Iatros means HEALER

4. Geriatrics is a specialty that focuses on health care of elderly people

5. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults

6. There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatrician or geriatric physician

7. Geriatric physician is one who specializes in the care of elderly people and is a medical specialty

8. Geriatric Counseling is a specialised way of counseling the old and the invalids to ensure better qualify of life

9. The service of a Geriatric Counselor is sought when a physicians thinks it fit or the patient or relatives suggests it

10. To become a geriatric counselor you will need to go through a rather rigorous amount of schooling and training

11. It’s no secret that many older adults need help with their day to day activities

12. However, it can be very difficult for family members to be there whenever their loved ones need them, no matter how much they wish they could be

13. Geriatric counselors, on the other hand, can provide the assistance that older adults need

14. The help that these professionals provide often makes the lives of older adults and their families much easier, convenient, and more comfortable

15. In short, these counselors help provide a better quality of life for those in their “golden years

16. Aging is a natural process

17. Does not mean it will not present challenges--both for the aging person and for their family

18. Older adults may have great difficulty in:

19. Adjusting to Retirement

20. Adjusting with bereavements

21. Failing health Medical Conditions

22. Problems of Isolation

23. Adjusting with Alzheimer's or Senile Dementia

24. One in Ten have these problems

25. Psychotherapy for Geriatric Issues

26. Therapy can help older adults who may have difficulty with the transitions of aging to manage their emotions, find new sources of enjoyment and meaning, and find new support systems

27. It can help people face their fears of death, if they have such fears (and who doesn’t?) and deal with grief over the passing away of friends and family members

28. It can also assist family members who may be caring their elder relatives; assist them in dealing with their emotions, communication issues (especially likely if an elder has some form of dementia), and community resources

29. Possible diagnoses associated with aging might be the various forms of dementia (although these are technically medical, not strictly psychological disorders), and in some cases depression or anxiety

30. Medical Issues of Aging Counsel to Cope Up

31. Challenges of Counseling

32. One of the challenges of dealing with aging is distinguishing the normal challenges of growing older from signs of actual physical or mental illness

33. You Bored? ..OKAY....I'll continue then....

34. Many people older than 65 years of age live happy and healthy independent lives

35. Some changes in cognition are a normal part of the aging process

36. Researchers have found that healthy older adults experience mild decline in the areas of:

37. Decline 1. • Visual and verbal memory 2. • Visio-spatial abilities 3. • Immediate memory or the ability to name objects 4. • Mild hearing loss 5. • increased frailty of the body

38. Some more points 1. • diminished sleep 2. • mild to moderate changes in appetite and energy level

39. A professional therapist can help older adults to dealing with these kinds of changes

40. Help to distinguish them from a serious health condition such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease (a referral to a psychiatrist or internist may be necessary)

41. A Case Study Stress from caring for an aging mother

42. Rosa, 72, is brought to therapy by her daughter, Maria

43. Maria has been visiting her mother every day for five years, ever since Maria’s father/Rosa’s husband died, leaving Rosa alone

44. Maria helps Rosa shop cook and clean, and keeps her company

45. But lately, Rosa needs more and more help and Maria feel she cannot meet her mother’s needs anymore

46. Rosa is irritated by this and angrily tells her daughter “you don’t even care about me.”

47. The therapist takes a thorough personal history of the family, and suspects Rosa is suffering from a form of dementia

48. A referral to a physician confirms this

49. The therapist works with Maria to find appropriate, affordable, professional services for Rosa, including an Adult Day Center and an in-home nurse

50. The therapist also helps Maria and Rosa understand the symptoms of Rosa’s illness, helps Maria deal with feelings of guilt as well as communication difficulties

51. He also facilitates joint sessions to help the two talk about what Rosa is going through

52. That's it Geriatric counseling is simply that

53. THANK YOU babuappat@gmail.com www.psychotricks.webs.com