Geriatric Psychology

Catalog description

A developmental approach to aging will serve as the frame of reference to the discussion of the aging process. Normal and abnormal aging progression will be discussed from a bio psychosocial perspective. Consultation and interventions in the context of normal aging will be discussed as it relates to retirement counseling, coping with experiences of loss, death and dying, coping with circumstances of diminished physical, psychological, and social functioning, as well as the impact of aging on selfhood during the last stage of the life cycle. The second half of the course will address the most frequently encountered clinical syndrome in older age including cortical and sub cortical dementia, depression and pseudodementia and various organic syndromes of different etiologies (e.g. vascular, structural changes, etc.). The different treatment options available to the elderly are discussed including psychotherapy, family and systemic interventions, psychopharmacology, and consultation to different organizations working with the elderly including health care institutions.