Counselling as an integral part of intermediate care for the aged
Date
1981
Authors
McLelland, Hélène Mary Galbraith
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Abstract
The literature of aging , institutionalization, counselling and psychotherapy was examined to determine if there was a need for counselling as an integral part of Intermediate Care for the aged. A primary need of the institutionalized old may be psychosocial care, but a view exists that the old cannot profit from psychological intervention because of inability to change.
Research questions were asked as to the characteristics, needs and tasks of old age; and whether there are problems unique to the institutionalized old which justify counselling.
A review of the literature of the decade 1970 - 1980 was conducted. Characteristics, needs and tasks of old age were described, supporting the conclusion that these might indeed be addressed by counselling. Counselling was found to be indicated for supportive and rehabilitative purposes, and in particular for relocation (or the process of institutionalization) and adjustment.
It was concluded that the old, and particularly the institutionalized old, do indeed have problems that are age specific, for which counselling may be required; and that there were a number of functions which a counsellor might perform within the institutional setting.
A need to train more counsellors to work with the aged was found concomitant to the increased number of individuals living into old age, and it was recommended that health and education agencies might examine this problem with a view to providing training opportunities.