From USC & CSULB
For the young and old alike, the stresses of the modern world sometimes can be overwhelming and professional help can be a balm and a boon, researchers say. But for the growing population of the elderly, there's a dearth of psychologists with the skills and training needed -- and this care shortfall will only increase, dramatically, as the giant Baby Boom generation advances into old age. While the elderly population is expected to increase to 20%, only 3% of psychologists in a 2002 survey said they treat mostly older patients. Geropsychologists have formulated recommendations for their profession to address these needs, including educating practitioners about their own age bias, as well as cluing them in to how their diverse patients react to aging. Meantime, in Long Beach, an educational psychology graduate clinic celebrates its 40th anniversary of providing lower-cost care to children of students. These critical services have included counseling, tutoring and psycho-educational assessment.
Comments