The 5 functions of the psychologist in a nursing home for the elderly

Nursing homes have become a very important institutional space to satisfy some care needs during aging. In this space, psychology has played a relevant role, insofar as it is a science with very diverse approaches and applications.

In this article we will briefly explain what is the role of psychology in aging and what are some of the main functions that a psychologist can have within a geriatric residence.

• Related article: "The third age is not a homogeneous category, but there are several stages to take into account."

The role of psychology in aging

One of the professional development areas of psychology is the aging process. This is so because the knowledge that psychology generates can help build important tools to enhance the quality of life of older adults, as well as to understand the processes of change as it has done in other life cycles, and to intervene both with the elderly, and in the creation of care models and policies.

Old age had been reserved for medicine because it was understood based on health problems. Thus, interventions were limited towards the prevention and eradication of diseases associated with aging. However, and

since old age is not a health problem, but rather as a life stage having specific needs, psychology has also generated some tools to satisfy them.

There is even a specialty called gerontopsychology, which is a sub-branch of clinical psychology, focused on precisely in the study of this vital process and in the development of intervention strategies psychological.

• You may be interested: "Depression in old age: causes, detection, therapy and advice"

5 functions of the psychologist in a geriatric residence

Among the strategies that have been created to meet aging needs, intervention in institutions (geriatric residences) has been very relevant.

As is the case in much of psychology, said intervention depends a lot on the professional's ability to empathize with the needs of others, as well as the theoretical knowledge that she has acquired and that can help her to detect and satisfy these needs. Generally, the ultimate purpose of the intervention is to ensure people's quality of life and strengthen active aging.

Rodríguez, Valderrama and Molina (2010) propose a series of intervention areas and strategies for institutionalized older adults, in which the role of the psychologist can be fundamental.

Taking into consideration said proposal, we develop five of the functions that a psychologist has within a residence: generate support groups, provide coping strategies to possible challenges, provide guidance on the meaning of old age (both the institution and the family), prevent or treat symptoms of depression, and accompany the approach to death.

1. Generate support groups

The psychologist can act as a facilitator and promote the creation of support networks among older adults. Doing this is important because it increases the feeling of accompaniment and recognition through others., which in turn, can prevent depressive symptoms. For this, psychology has generated different strategies, which must be adapted to the situation of each residence and each group of adults.

• You may be interested: "Group therapy: history, types and phases"

2. Provide coping strategies to possible challenges

The psychologist can also make individual interventions aimed at providing emotional support. These interventions can have different objectives, for example, to develop assertive communication, work on the control of emotions, monitor a grieving process, enhance autonomy and self-esteem, and so on. In any case It is important to accompany according to the need detected in each person, and avoid transmitting the idea that old age is a problem or a challenge in itself.

3. Provide guidance on the meaning of old age to the institution and the family

Intervention during aging is not limited to adults, it is necessary to provide guidance and support towards the institution or family members. This is because in some cases, old age is understood as a problem or as a disability, which encourages passivity and little development of the person's autonomy.

Since 1991 the UN has determined five efforts to ensure a good quality of life during aging: Dignity, Independence, Self-realization, Participation and Care; and promoting them is also the responsibility of psychology professionals.

4. Prevent or treat symptoms of depression or other disorders

As in other life stages, the aging process can be difficult for some people. Old age can generate vulnerability to depressive symptoms if, among other things, the adult's environment has not been able to favor or satisfy some filiation needs. Here the role of psychologist is important because it can both enhance self-esteem of the adult in individual or group interventionsHow to reduce the situation of vulnerability by intervening in the environment (in the residence, in the family, in the community).

5. Accompany the approach to death

For some people the approach to death can represent a very important problem. While old age is assumed as the stage prior to the end of life, a process of significant suffering and mourning can be generated. The psychologist also has the function of accompanying this process within the geriatric institution. To do this there are many and very different tools, which depend to a great extent on the approach that the professional adopts and on his own emotional capacity to face or accompany death.

Bibliographic references:

• Rodríguez, A., Valderrama, L. and Molina, J. (2010). Psychological intervention in older adults. Psychology from the Caribbean. Universidad del Norte, 25: 246-258.
• Santamaría, J.L. (S / A). The psychologist in the aging process. Old age and quality of life. Retrieved June 5, 2018. Available in http://www.copib.es/pdf/Vocalies/Envelliment/El%20rol%20del%20Psicólogo%20en%20el%20Envejecimiento.pdf.