Psychology’s contribution to the well-being of older americans.

Abstract

In concert with 6 decennial White House Conferences on Aging, psychologists have considered how developments in psychological science can contribute to the well-being of older Americans. We suggest 5 illustrative areas of psychological research: Advances in neuroscience elucidate ways to promote healthy cognitive aging; associated developments in neuropsychological assessment can help in protecting older Americans with cognitive losses from financial exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Psychological research on decision making and behavioral economics has much to offer to planning for retirement security and reducing vulnerability to financial abuse. Psychological research on self-management and behavior change can contribute importantly to enhancing good health behaviors among older adults; similarly the power of context on behavior can be harnessed in long-term care settings. Psychological research on attitudes and stereotypes gives insight into age bias that can be detrimental to healthy aging. Adaptive technologies and information technologies are beginning to transform assessment in research and clinical settings; technology also holds the promise of improving long-term support for older adults in both institutional and community-based settings. Finally, with 1 in 7 Americans now ages 65 and older, compared with 1 in 11 50 years ago, the psychology workforce-including health services providers and faculty to train those providers-is insufficient to meet the challenge of the aging population. (PsycINFO Database Record

The big shortage: Geropsychologists discuss facilitators and barriers to working in the field of aging.

“…Older adults already represent one third of health care consumers currently (Institute of Medicine 2012), and this demand is expected to increase as the overall population of older adults increases. Across all settings of care for older adults—primary care, rehabilitation, acute care, long-term care, and palliative care—psychologists may therefore have opportunities to develop and manage programs, supervise providers, work with interprofessional teams, and provide direct care themselves (Gatz, Smyer, & DiGilio, 2016; Novotney, 2011). The American Psychological Association regularly provides continuing education programs for providers interested in expanding their expertise with older adults, and there are several repositories for clinical resources organized by the APA Office on Aging and GeroCentral.…”

“…And third, the mental health needs of older adults will become a more pressing priority, with a demand for new expertise among general practitioners and an expanded number of specialist clinicians. In sum, the aging of the population will bring unprecedented prospects and responsibilities for psychologists (Gatz, Smyer, & DiGilio, 2016). …”

“…Older adults often have complex presentations given the tendency for comorbid medical and mental health conditions, their unique psychosocial history, and accumulation of life experiences (Karel, Gatz, & Smyer, 2012). It is important to train psychologists who are knowledgeable about these complexities and able to incorporate this knowledge into their research, clinical work, and teaching of others (Gatz, Smyer, & DiGilio, 2016). National organizations have recognized that the United States healthcare workforce is too small and not adequately trained to meet the behavioral and mental health care needs of our aging population (American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Integrated Health Care for an Aging Population, 2008; Institute of Medicine, 2012), and the widespread opinion among national leaders in the field is that there are not enough geropsychologists to care for our nation’s seniors (e.g., Hoge, Karel, Zeiss, Alegria, & Moye, 2015; Gatz, Smyer, & DiGilio, 2016).…”

Recoupling in Mid‐Life and Beyond: From Love at Last to Not So Fast

“…Indeed, the fastest‐growing users of internet dating sites are not millennials, but “silver surfers” (Watson & Stelle, ). Nonetheless, an entire issue of the American Psychologist devoted to the mental health needs of aging Americans makes no mention at all of “gray divorce” or late‐life recoupling (Gatz, Smyer, & DiGilio, ).…”

Applying the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Method to Evaluate Key Indicators of Health Promotion Policies for the Elderly in Taiwan

“…The main purpose of the health promotion policies issued by the US government is to extend people's lives and improve their quality of life, thereby making the American people healthier [ 31 ]. The purpose of the Older Americans Act [ 32 – 37 ] is to assist the independent living of the elderly at home and provide transportation assistance and home safety care. Community-based services include daytime care for the elderly, assistance through referral services, and community activity centers.…”