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The Benefits of Psychotherapy
for Older Adults
by Ann Fitter, MSW, LCSW
In today's fast paced world, few of us have the luxury of sitting with a friend or loved one for a full hour to be fully present to that person. In my job as a social worker for Pathways for Aging, I have the advantage of being able to visit older adults in their homes, apartments, or long-term care facilities to do just that - be fully present to another person.
I have found that many older adults are very receptive to meeting with a social worker in their own living environments and discussing the issues that they are facing, whether it is death of a loved one, physical illness, change in lifestyle, or social isolation. All of these issues and many others can cause people to experience depression and/or anxiety; therefore I screen each client for his or her current level of depression.
I have found these older adults (my clients) to be open and honest in sharing their family histories, life stories, past and present challenges, and achievements.
My clients and I then work together to identify challenging issues and develop plans for resolving or lessening the negative effects of these challenges. Another benefit to visiting with my clients is that I am able to observe their physical, emotional, and cognitive changes over the course of our visits together.
Many of my clients fear that they are slipping cognitively, especially in the area of memory. A recent University of Michigan study found that 10 minutes of conversation a day is as effective in improving memory as other memory boosting exercises. So, aside from the emotional benefits of our work together, older adults may be enjoying the cognitive benefits of these regular hourly conversations. In fact, many times I am able to put my clients at ease that they are indeed functioning quite well cognitively, in addition to assessing their physical and emotional changes.
Recently I worked with a 75 year old man named Robert. Robert had a stroke about a year ago, had lost the ability to walk, and had experienced some decline in his memory and speaking abilities. After a lengthy hospital stay, Robert entered a long-term care facility as his physical care needs were too great for his wife to handle in their home. Robert was grieving the loss of his lifestyle as he knew it before the stroke. He longed to get stronger and return home to the place and activities that he loved. However, when Robert expressed his feelings and cried in front of his wife and son, they became upset because they didn't want to see him feeling so badly emotionally.
When I visited with Robert over the next several weeks, I assured him that his feelings of grief were perfectly normal given his situation. In addition, he was free to express his feelings to me and cry without fearing that he was upsetting his family members. When Robert's wife was present for a visit, I talked to her about Robert's need to grieve and assured her that it was okay for Robert to become tearful and express his feelings. I also let Robert's wife know that I recognized how painful the situation was for her, told her what a great job she was doing in taking care of Robert's needs, and shared with her some tips on self-care.
As time progressed, Robert became much more aware of his grief process and developed ways to cope with his intense feelings, such as relying more on his sense of humor and participating in as many activities in the long-term care facility as possible. In addition, his wife brought him a laptop computer for his room because she understood Robert's need to stay connected to the larger world. The situation is still a daily challenge for Robert and his wife, but they continue to bolster each other with their humor and devotion to each other.
This is just one example of how a Pathways for Aging social worker may be of service to you, a family member, or friend. We would be happy to talk with you about this service and even happier to help you work through some of these challenging issues.
References:
Fierberg, Rebecca. (2008). "Looking to the Past...can Help our Attitude about the Future, Pathways for Aging newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 4.
SeniorJournal.com (October 29, 2007). "Ten Minutes of Conversation Improves Memory as Much as Games.
Web Tip of the Month -
Depression - How Social Workers Help: Caregiving: Depression in the Elderly
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) website offers more detailed information about how Clinical Social Workers assist older adults and caregivers who may be suffering from depression.
http://www.helpstartshere.org/Default.aspx?PageID=1146
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Beyond the Living Will – Empowering the Patient in the Healthcare System
A Pathways for Aging Special Report
by Jeannie Krause-Taylor, MSW, LCSW, ACSW
“How will you or a loved one die?” This report examines some of the most common challenges with end-of-life issues. It explains the three main legal documents and how end-of-life decisions are made. Includes a checklist of what to consider and how to create your own Action Plan. Also includes eleven ways to be an advocate for yourself or a loved one and resolve conflicts in healthcare decisionmaking. To order a copy - go to the Products Page of our Website.
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Free Seminar:
in September you can hear -
Jeannie Krause-Taylor,MSW, LCSW, ACSW
speak on positive aging and ways to cope with the impact of aging and loss
She will be one of 3 featured speakers at 2 Free Seminars offered by SSM Health Care - Senior Services
Keeping Your Balance This Fall
Balance of MIND, BODY, and SPIRIT =
Wellness and Independence
The Semiars will be offered:
September 12 at St. Joseph Hospital Center, St. Charles September 25 at St. Joseph Hospital West, Lake St. Louis
Call 636-947-5042 for more informaton or to register
Get to know our team.....
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Ann Fitter, MSW, LCSW joined Pathways for Aging in 2007
Hello. My name is Ann Fitter, and I joined the team at Pathways for Aging in 2007. When I first began my career in social work in 1986, I worked for what is now called the Missouri Department for Health and Senior Services providing case management, crisis intervention, and general counseling services to older adults and their families. At the time, I felt that older adults were a neglected segment of our society, and I wanted to help each person function in the fullest, most dignified way possible.
I then spent many years at home raising my four children with my husband, while also completing my MSW degree at St. Louis University and volunteering as a support group facilitator for a local agency that serves women at the poverty level. I later worked for several years at that agency providing individual and group counseling, as well as case management services.
It was my good fortune to find Jeannie Krause Taylor and Pathways for Aging through a friend who was serving as the interim director of the Gerontology Program at UM St. Louis. Working for Pathways for Aging has allowed me to return to working with older adults and their families, which was my initial calling.
This time around is different though. I no longer feel that older adults are the forgotten segment of our population. I am so pleased to see that our society is focusing on the specific needs of older adults and their families, especially as our Baby Boomer generation is creeping into older adulthood.
My goal as a social worker is to provide emotional support, case management, and advocacy services to my clients and families, and working for Pathways for Aging allows me to do that. In my work, I have met so many inspiring older adults and families. I am truly honored to be able serve people who have such rich life experiences, knowledge, grace, and wonderful senses of humor.
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Please Contact Us
Call us today at 314.361.3530 if you or a friend or family member needs help with an older adult.
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Pathways for Aging, Inc.
Helping you help the older adults
in your life.
Contact us at 314.361.3530
or e-mail us here.
Geriatric Care Management Psychotherapy
6614 Clayton Road, #235
St. Louis, Missouri 63117
How We Can Help
Personalized Care Management from the staff at Pathways for Aging provides:
Customized information about community resources to meet the needs of your loved one.
Peace of mind if you are separated from your loved one by geography or by a vacation or business trip.
Someone to act as your eyes and ears, and troubleshoots problems before they become crises.
A supportive advocate if you need to make life-altering decisions which impact quality-of-life, such as medical decisions, whether your loved one is able to continue independent living, when is it time to consider alternative housing, etc.
A professional to help with strained family relationships and negotiating difficult decisions.
Call us today at 314.361.3530 to see how we can help you. |
