Change is hard and as we get older; we tend to become more set in our ways. Seniors like the regimen of a schedule because it provides a sense of control over their lives when in fact, they may have ceded some of that control to the people around them. The transition from independence in a personal residence to living in a residential facility can be tumultuous.
Aging is not for the timid and very often, the inevitability of aging, or rather the effects of aging, can be difficult for anyone to accept. In most instances seeing a psychologist can help, but not all psychologists are the same. One of the most frequently asked questions PsyHealth receives is, “At my mom’s age, she’s set in her ways. She’s not going to change. What can you do?” Actually, we can do a lot.
When dealing with long term care facilities, it’s essential for the attending psychologists to have specialties in clinical psychology, neuropsychology and medical psychology.
Clinical psychologists, unlike general psychologists, are trained in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders affecting an individual’s emotional and behavioral functioning. The goal of a Clinical Psychologist is to improve the overall psychological well-being and quality of life for their patients. Clinical psychologists use their years of training in assessment and therapeutic techniques to work with individuals, families, and groups to help manage psychological difficulties ranging from mild to severe. Their expertise in the full range of psychological and psychiatric dysfunctions ranges from anxiety and depressive disorders to personality disorders, the schizophrenias, bipolar disorders, trauma disorders, and more.
Neuropsychologists specialize in the relationship between the brain, its structures, cognition, and behavior. Through a variety of standardized tests, neuropsychologists assess and treat individuals with neurological conditions and impairments. Neuropsychological testing evaluates areas such as memory, attention, language, and problem-solving abilities. The outcomes of these assessments are used to help diagnose conditions like dementia and traumatic brain injury. As brain disorders can lead to personality changes, cognitive impairments, and a host of other mental health issues affecting the individual and their family, the neuropsychologist’s test results help the care team design individualized treatment plans aimed at improving cognitive, emotional, and personality functioning.
Medical psychologists integrate psychological principles with medical knowledge to address the psychological aspects of physical health, illness, and medical treatment. Medical psychology focuses on the interplay between mental and physical health, aiming to understand how psychological factors affect the onset, progression, and management of medical conditions. Medical psychologists collaborate with physicians and other healthcare providers to assess and treat patients’ mental health needs, help them cope with chronic illnesses, improve adherence to medical treatments, and support overall well-being. Medical psychologists’ interventions may include psychotherapy, behavioral medicine techniques, and psychoeducation, all tailored to the specific needs of their patients.
This trifecta of specialization provides you and your older loved ones a level of unprecedented care. It means a qualified psychologist can help.
Psychologists are “real” doctors. Our patients present with emotional pain, physical pain, and cognitive impairments. We work on multiple levels, are involved in staffing issues, lead treatment teams, take part in care level decisions, and hospitalize when necessary. We are “rounding doctors” as well. We visit our patients in their apartments, talk with them in quiet, private settings, and run interference between medicine, nursing, care coordinators, psychiatry, and families.
We are your loved one’s advocates and we need every year of training we’ve had because we strive to help your loved one find the stability they need to adjust to their ever changing situation. Helping your elderly adjust to their new lives, cope with their losses, and celebrate their victories, no matter how large or how small is what PsyHealth does. It’s what your psychologist should be doing.
