Considerations and Suggested Practices for Psychological Assessment and Intervention When Working With Older Adults With Disabilities

Given the aging of the population in the United States, older adults (ages 65+ years) will increasingly be referred to psychologists for evaluation and treatment. The potential for onset of a primary or secondary disability (e.g., physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional) significantly increases d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Professional psychology, research and practice research and practice, 2022-10, Vol.53 (5), p.446-457
Main Authors: Schaefer, Lynn A., Pick, Lawrence H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Disabilities
Disability
Ethics
Female
Health Care Delivery
Human
Intervention
Male
Older Adulthood
Older people
Pandemics
People with disabilities
Psychological Assessment
Psychologists
Telemedicine
Telepsychology
Treatment
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Summary:Given the aging of the population in the United States, older adults (ages 65+ years) will increasingly be referred to psychologists for evaluation and treatment. The potential for onset of a primary or secondary disability (e.g., physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional) significantly increases during older adulthood and may or may not be the reason for referral to a psychologist. The overarching aims of this article are to discuss the more common ethical and professional considerations for psychologists working with older adults with disabilities and offer suggested practices to optimize these interactions. This discussion focuses on a collaborative model in which the psychologist partners with the older adult to learn of their specific preferences and needs with the goal of providing equitable, appropriate, and accessible assessment services and therapeutic support. Service provision during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the related use of telepsychology are also examined as part of this position. Public Significance Statement This article reviews the common disabilities experienced by older adults (ages 65+ years) and offers practical suggestions for psychologists who provide services to this population. Additionally, it underscores the importance of psychologists collaborating with older adults with disabilities to best meet their needs in the provision of equitable and accessible behavioral health care.
ISSN:0735-7028
1939-1323
DOI:10.1037/pro0000472