Managing emotional and psychological distress in older people

Working with Older People, Ahead of Print. Purpose Much has been written about helping those with dementia. But what about those for whom distress is not primarily related to a neurological cause and there is no psychiatric history? The purpose of this paper is to offer a guide for allied health professionals and family carers to manage distress in older people who are able to engage in language based communication and who are experiencing significant change or loss. Design/methodology/approach This practice informed paper draws on the authors ’ extensive experience working as a mental health social worker who specializes in work with older people in the community and in care, with family carers and in educating allied health professionals on how to manage presentations of distress in older people. Findings Three foundational manageme nt strategies are discussed: understand the reason for distress, implement the C.A.R.E. Plan and maximize comfort in exploration and referral. Research limitations/implications This viewpoint piece has not been substantiated through research and does not reflect training in the field of clinical g eropsychology. Originality/value The ideas in this paper are original and are practical solutions to common problems that can be faced by workers or family in close contact with older people. The information can be applied immediately to whatever setting is relevant for the reader and is written i n easy to understand language. Furthermore, its ...
Source: Working with Older People - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research