Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A. Hinrichsen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Interpersonal Psychotherapy ◽  
Life Change ◽  
Individual Psychotherapy ◽  
Role Transitions ◽  
Life Problems ◽  
Complicated Bereavement

In clinical practice with older adults, depression is a common presenting problem and is usually interwoven with one or more life problems. These problems are often the focus of psychotherapy. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a highly researched and effective treatment for depression in adults and older adults. IPT is time-limited, and as an individual psychotherapy it is usually conducted over 16 sessions. IPT focuses on one or two of four interpersonally relevant problems that may be a cause or consequence of depression. These include: role transitions (life change), interpersonal role disputes (conflict with another person), grief (complicated bereavement), and interpersonal deficits (social isolation and loneliness). The four IPT problem areas reflect issues that are frequently seen in psychotherapy with depressed older people.

Interpersonal psychotherapy

2020 ◽  
pp. 261-264
Author(s):  
Philip Wilkinson ◽  
Ken Laidlaw
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older People ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Interpersonal Psychotherapy ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Role Transitions ◽  
Treatment Of Depression

This chapter on interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) describes the theory and practice of this structured psychological treatment. It discusses the implementation of IPT with older people. Next it reviews the applications of IPT with a main focus on the treatment of depression in older adults and distinguishes between the treatment of depression with and without cognitive impairment. It summarizes the structure of IPT and the use of specific techniques, and it then addresses the main therapeutic foci encountered in treatment (grief, interpersonal role disputes, role transitions, and interpersonal deficits). Finally, it briefly reviews the evidence base for IPT with older people.

The ‘loneliness pandemic’: implications for gerontological nursing

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 652-655
Author(s):  
Carlos Laranjeira
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Gerontological Nursing

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled states to limit free movement, in order to protect at-risk and more vulnerable groups, particularly older adults. Due to old age or debilitating chronic diseases, this group is also more vulnerable to loneliness (perceived discrepancy between actual and desired social relationships) and social isolation (feeling that one does not belong to society). This forced isolation has negative consequences for the health of older people, particularly their mental health. This is an especially challenging time for gerontological nursing, but it is also an opportunity for professionals to combat age stereotypes reinforced with COVID-19, to urge the measurement of loneliness and social isolation, and to rethink how to further adjust interventions in times of crisis, such as considering technology-mediated interventions in these uncertain times.

Neuropsychological assessment in older people: old principles and new directions

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 362-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin G. Morris ◽  
Claire Worsley ◽  
David Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Older People ◽  
Neuropsychological Assessment ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Narrow Sense ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Common Clinical Practice

Neuropsychological assessment, in the broader sense, is common clinical practice with older adults because of the widespread use of mental status examinations and dementia rating scales. In the more narrow sense, a neuropsychological assessment conducted by a clinical psychologist or clinical neuropsychologist is used less frequently and for more specific purposes. This paper outlines these uses and provides a brief overview of the different types of test that might be used, with a clinical example to illustrate the type of information gained. This review is designed not to be comprehensive, but to provide a pointer towards the latest trends in test development.

Preparing students for intentional conversations with older adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Margaret McAllister ◽  
Leanne Dodd ◽  
Colleen Ryan ◽  
Donna Lee Brien
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Older People ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Narrative Theory ◽  
Life Stories ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Story Theory

Abstract This paper presents the findings from a study introducing nursing students to narrative production. The aim was to use Story Theory to inspire students to intentionally collaborate with older people and produce a mini-biography of those individuals. Narrative theory was utilised in four ways: designing an educational intervention; collecting and developing older peoples’ life stories; framing an understanding of the meaning of the stories collected; analysing the significance of the storytelling approach. The paper explains the study approach and findings and outlines the benefits as well as challenges that occurred during the process. Most particularly, the anthology produced has become a tangible reminder about a clinical practice that allowed students to meet frail aged residents and come to know them as vibrant human beings.

COVID-19 aus Sicht der Geriatrie

2020 ◽  
Vol 145 (15) ◽  
pp. 1039-1043
Author(s):  
Cornel Sieber
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Frailty Syndrome ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
The Many

AbstractThe pandemic due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus challenges all of us in the many areas of life. Our health systems are tested for their sustainability and load capacity. SARS-CoV-2 virus-infections will become part of our lives, but they mainly threaten vulnerable and multimorbid older adults. Older people with a frailty-syndrome are challenged not only in physical, but also psychological and social domains. Adapted caring structures are required and the pandemic will introduce important ethical discussions. As examples, distribution of limited resources, requests for more Advance Care Planning as well as balancing between infection protection versus the drawbacks of long-lasting social isolation should be named. This article therefore focuses on ethical questions for older adults in times of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic.

scholarly journals Social isolation and health outcomes among older people in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Zhang ◽  
Wen Hu ◽  
Zhixin Feng
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Living Children

Abstract Background Social isolation is a serious public health issue affecting a significant number of older adults worldwide. However, associations between different dimensions of social isolation and functional health are unclear. We assessed the varied effects of social isolation on health among a nationwide sample of older adults from China. Methods We assessed social isolation among 5,419 people aged 65 and older who took part in both the 2011 and 2014 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Social isolation includes objective social isolation (kinlessness and lack of social contacts) and subjective social isolation. Four functional health outcomes were examined: self-rated health (SRH), activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and cognitive function measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We used multivariable regression analyses to examine the associations between social isolation and health outcomes. Results Older people who never married or who had recently lost a spouse were more likely to report poor SRH (OR=2.44) and difficulty with IADLs (ORs=1.46) than those who were married and lived with a spouse. Older people who never gave birth were less likely to report cognitive impairment (OR=0.53) than those who had living children, while older people who had recently lost a child were more likely to report poor SRH than those who had living children (OR=1.32). Older people who had no children visiting were more likely to report difficulty with IADLs than those who had children visiting (OR=1.25). In terms of subjective social isolation, older people who felt lonely were more likely to report poor SRH, cognitive impairment, and difficulty with ADLs and IADLs (ORs=1.19, 1.27, 1.28 and 1.21, respectively), and older people who had no one to talk to were more likely to report poor SRH, cognitive decline, and difficulty with ADLs and IADLs (ORs=2.08, 5.32, 2.06 and 1.98, respectively). Conclusions Kinlessness, lack of social contacts and subjective social isolation may impact various dimensions of health in older people. Due to the varied health consequences of social isolation, targeted health interventions should be developed to address relevant situations of social isolation.

Over the rainbow: direct payments and social inclusion

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jed Donoghue ◽  
Chris Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Direct Payments ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the impact of direct payments on social isolation. We define what social isolation means, and then evaluate the role of direct payments in the provision of social services in the United Kingdom. Social isolation is a particular problem for older people. In Australia there are an increasing number of older residents who are isolated, but would benefit from having greater choice in terms of how they access and receive social services. Increased access to direct payments could help to reduce waiting lists for traditional social services and address gaps in service provision. What is known about the topic?International research indicates that in some cases direct payments or self-directed service provision helps to reduce social isolation. What does this paper add?The authors argue that based on the available evidence, a system incorporating direct payments would have health benefits for older adults living in the community. What are the implications for practitioners?The paper concludes by suggesting that directs payments have the capacity to reduce social isolation in Australia.

scholarly journals Systematic Review of Efficacy of Interventions for Social Isolation of Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Tong ◽  
ChengLin Yu ◽  
LinSen Wang ◽  
Iris Chi ◽  
Fang Fu
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cochrane Library

Background: The social isolation of older people is a growing public health concern. The proportion of older people in society has increased in recent decades, and it is estimated that ~40% of the population will be aged 50 or above within the next few decades. This systematic review aims to summarize and renew knowledge of the effectiveness of existing interventions for alleviating social isolation of older adults.Methods: Relevant electronic databases, including Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science, were searched by a systematic evaluation method. Eligible randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were published between 1978 and 2021 in English or Chinese. The primary and secondary outcomes were social isolation and loneliness. The quality of the included RCTs was scored by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool to assess their quality. Two independent reviewers extracted data, using a standardized form. Narrative synthesis and vote-counting methods were used to summarize and interpret study data.Results: Twenty-four RCTs were finally included in this review. There was evidence of substantial heterogeneity in the interventions delivered. The overall quality of included studies indicated a low-to-medium risk of bias. Eighteen of 24 RCTs showed at least one dimension effect on reducing social isolation. The interventions with accurate targeting of clients in social and public places had more obvious effect. The interventions in which older people are active participants also appeared more likely to be effective. In addition, group intervention activities and individual intervention interviews were effective in improving structural social support; mixed intervention, and group intervention on training support significantly improved functional social support.Conclusions: This study suggests that group and mixed intervention targeting of older adults could be helpful for alleviating social isolation problems. The use of modern technology for remote services could also present good results. More well-conducted RCTs of the effectiveness of social interventions for alleviating social isolation are needed to improve the evidence base. Especially as the debating results of remote interventions, further research in this field should be conducted.

scholarly journals The Myth of Old Age: Addressing the Issue of Dependency and Contribution in Old Age Using Empirical Examples From the United Kingdom

2020 ◽  
pp. 136078042093773
Author(s):  
Jeroen Spijker ◽  
Anna Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Social Attitudes ◽  
Population Ageing ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Media ◽  
Over Time

In academia, policy-making and the media, population ageing often has negative connotations: it is associated with a rising care burden on society, with dependency, and with a fear of social isolation. The concepts pertaining to old age have evolved over time, and some of them challenge criticize this popular perception. This article begins with an overview of the development of social attitudes towards old age. Then, with the help of publicly available UK data, it addresses three areas in which old age and population ageing is perceived as problematic: poor health, dependency on other people’s productivity, and the role older adults play in the care cycle. Due to the diversity of the population aged 65+, we question the necessity of distinguishing older people in terms of age or dependency and instead recommend more research into the heterogeneity of the older population.

scholarly journals How long should older people take antidepressants to prevent relapse?

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 70-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Spear
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Older People ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Interventions ◽  
Risk Of Relapse

Patients with depressive disorder have a high risk of relapse after recovery from a depressive episode. Can the relapse of depressive disorder be prevented or delayed for older adults? This paper reviews the evidence from randomised clinical trials and open label trials of the effectiveness of maintenance antidepressant therapy for older adults with depressive disorder. It also examines the evidence for the effectiveness of psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions. The paper concludes with recommendations for clinical practice and future research.

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