Counseling for Wellness With Older Adults

Abstract

Resulting from the assumption that older adulthood is a time of decline, there is a dearth of research on the application of wellness counseling with older adults. This article reviews the literature on wellness and older adults, synthesizes wellness with adult development theory, and describes wellness counseling with older adults.

Defining Wellness in Older Adulthood: Toward a Comprehensive Framework

“…This model uses emotional, physical, psychological, social, intellectual, and spiritual domains, and it was originally derived from a sample comprised of ethnically diverse college students, as well as employees from two companies (Roscoe, 2009). The four articles using the perceived wellness model focused on the relationship between perceived wellness and related variables such as quality of life (Footit & Anderson, 2012), leisure (Tsai & Wu, 2005), and resilience (Fullen & Gorby, 2016). Once again, the model is useful, and in contrast to the previous models, T. Adams et al used statistical analysis to derive the original domains, which were then translated into a corresponding instrument, the Perceived Wellness Survey.…”

“…On the contrary, possessing a positive perception of aging has been associated with a lower prevalence of suicidal ideation, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (Levy, Pilver, & Pietrzak, 2014); improved strength, gait, and balance (Levy, Pilver, Chung, & Slade, 2014); and a greater likelihood of recovery after the onset of disability (Levy, Slade, Murphy, & Gill, 2012). Therefore, developmental wellness should be included in any framework that focuses specifically on older adulthood, and it should be operationalized as a person’s ability to be realistic about the challenges associated with later life, imaginative about new ways of conceptualizing older adulthood, and hopeful in light of the growing awareness that older adults are resilient and possess many strengths (Fullen & Gorby, 2016).…”

“…Resilience, or the ability to bounce back, is also associated with cognitive wellness. Resilience is a malleable trait (Fullen & Gorby, 2016; Manning, Carr, & Kail, 2016), and perceiving oneself as resilient can enhance one’s perception of having aged successfully (Jeste et al, 2013). Studies have found that higher levels of resilience are associated with a reduced risk of mortality and fewer functional deficits, even after a negative health event (Manning et al, 2016; Shen & Zeng, 2011).…”

“…To substantiate the claim that wellness is multidimensional, counselors should develop interventions and programs in which the intersection between wellness domains is highlighted. For example, using the perceived wellness model, Fullen and Gorby (2016) developed a psychoeducational wellness curriculum that was piloted with clients ages 55 and older who were part of an adult day health center program. The curriculum included a specific emphasis on how multiple domains interacted, and participants were encouraged to apply these connections to their own lives.…”

A Life Span Developmental Perspective on Psychosocial Development in Midlife

“…Given that myths about midlife and negative stereotypes about aging proliferate, it is important that counselors carefully assess their knowledge and beliefs about middle age (McBride & Hays, 2012). Continuing education can aid counselors in constructing developmentally appropriate expectations for midlife clients and establishing a framework for fostering wellness across the life span (Fullen, 2016). Graduate seminars and continuing education can provide advanced education about normative adult development, including changes in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains.…”