Geriatric Psychology
Explore the field of psychology affecting the aging population ...
Think fast. What did you have for lunch three days ago?
If that took you several seconds (or maybe you're still pondering), you're likely experiencing normal memory decline that all humans experience. For older adults, this decline is more severe, and is just one of the focuses of geriatric psychology, a branch of psychology dedicated to addressing the unique concerns of older adults.
Geriatric Psychology Resource Links
Geriatric psychology focuses on the cognitive and physical developments of later life, as well as concerns such as depression and anxiety that arise in those who have difficulty adjusting to life as an older adult. Through studying normal age-associated changes like reduced memory and changes in personality, as well as abnormal changes like mental disorders and diseases, geriatric psychologists assist older adults in adjusting to the challenges of growing older.
Cognitive changes and memory
Have you ever had a word on the tip of your tongue, but couldn’t quite think of it, only to remember it at a later time? Aging causes natural cognitive changes that geriatric psychology professionals examine to gain a more thorough understanding of the aging process. Physical changes in the brain include a loss of cells and weight. This in turn leads to the slight slowing of thought and memory in addition to changes in intelligence, personality, and emotional development.
Memory decline is perhaps the most apparent cognitive change in later years. According to the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), short-term memory sees the biggest decline with age, as it takes longer for older adults to retain dates and events. Older adults process new information slower, leading to declines in “working memory.” According to AFAR, working memory constitutes new information that must be manipulated in some way, such as splitting up a bill from a restaurant, figuring out the appropriate tip, and how much change is due at the end. This distinguishes it from short-term memory, which does not need to be manipulated.
Geriatric psychologists working with older adults on memory retention suggest mnemonic training, or training that pairs imagery with information. For example, imagine older adults parked in the middle of a parking lot. Instead of remembering the exact location of their parking space, they instead remember they are parked next to the sign with a bear or beaver on it.
Cognitive changes and intelligence, emotions, and personality
Geriatric psychology is also concerned with how aging affects intelligence. The study, “Cognitive-behavioral Therapy with Older Adults,” published by the San Francisco Treatment Research Center, identifies intelligence changes in older adults.
Stress and the Immune System
Students are all too familiar with the sinking feeling in their stomachs as they begin exams. Adults know firsthand how a job loss or relationship problems affect an individual’s state of mind. But for older adults, states of mind significantly affect their states of health.
Read more about stress and the immune system ...
Authors Bob G. Knight and Derek Satre indicate that older adults experience loss in “fluid intelligence” but continue to gain knowledge in “crystallized intelligence.” Fluid intelligence is the ability for the brain to process new information, and includes tasks that are time limited, requiring speed to complete. Alternatively, crystallized memory is knowledge that older adults accumulate throughout life. Older adults have increased knowledge on the way certain things work based on their personal experiences and expertise.
Understanding emotional and personality changes that occur in aging is also a central concern for those in geriatric psychology. Older adults have been found to value more emotionally close relationships with age, focusing less on casual ones. Because of this, older adults are also more likely to experience loneliness if they lack close relationships.
In “Adult Development and Aging,” authors John C. Cavanaugh and Fredda Blanchard-Fields indicate that older adults' personalities are more stable than younger adults, and older adults frequently draw on experiences to cope with stress.
Most older adults are able to adjust to these cognitive changes and developments in later life. Unfortunately, those who can't often develop cases of anxiety and depression, which will worsen if not addressed, and, in more severe cases, possibly lead to suicide.
Addressing depression and anxiety
Life changes like retirement, deaths of family members and friends, weakening social networks, housing concerns, and financial difficulties put stress and strain on the lives of older adults. Some older adults have difficulty addressing and adjusting to these changes, developing cases of depression (see Depression) and anxiety (see Anxiety). According to Mental Health America, depression affects two million Americans aged 65 and older, making treatment of the mental disorder a principle goal of geriatric psychology.
Depression and anxiety in older adults are often overlooked, or thought of as normal aspects of aging. Geriatric psychologists know that this simply is not the case, and work with older adults to identify and treat these disorders.
Depression in older adults often correlates with lifestyle changes. For example, an older adult going through retirement possibly had the same career for most of his or her life. Now that adult is experiencing difficulty finding a new role and purpose in life. Depression is characterized by loss of interest in life, irritability, and lack of energy. The lack of energy and loss of interest complicates the original problem of adjusting to a lifestyle change.
Those working in geriatric psychology know how to address depressive symptoms caused by aging’s lifestyle changes, helping individuals problem solve and strategize new approaches to living. Developing hobbies or life passions, for instance, are often used as ways to re-energize, form new friendships, and decrease irritability caused by boredom.
Similar to depression, anxiety also surfaces from changes that occur in older age. For example, consider older adults who must live with their adult children. They’re appreciative of this hospitality, yet also worry about becoming a burden. If the thoughts continue and become severe, the older adult might develop generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, GAD is characterized by a persistent worry about everyday things. It affects sleep cycles, appetite, and other daily tasks.
Treating depression and anxiety in older adults is often accomplished through a combination of psychotherapy and medications. Therapies employed are highly adaptive, depending on what is causing an older adult to feel depressed or anxious. The most common form of therapy for older adults experiencing depression and anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). (see Anxiety Treatments and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression)
Depression and anxiety in older adults who suffer from age-related diseases and chronic illnesses are especially important to treat, for if they remain untreated, they contribute to worsening the disease or illness.
Depression and anxiety correlated to age-related diseases
Understanding how depression and anxiety are often induced by the onset of age-related diseases and chronic illnesses like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cancer gives psychologists greater insight into treatment methods for mental illness.
Since many age-related diseases are terminal, older adults diagnosed with them frequently experience signs of anxiety and depression as they contemplate fighting these diseases. Receiving news of a terminal disease is a shocking revelation, often leading to severe mental strain for the patient. Those suffering from anxiety or depression are less likely to comply with treatments for the disease, so treating these disorders increases individuals’ abilities to fight the disease.
Parkinson's is associated with tremors, rigidity, postural instability, and impaired speech. These factors hugely impact daily life, leading to depression and anxiety as the older adult realizes the limitations the disease imposes on them. Up to 67% of Parkinson's patients exhibit clinical signs of anxiety, according to “Generalized Anxiety Disorder and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale in Parkinson's Disease,” published in The Archives of Neuropsychology.
The study, conducted by Arthur Kummer and associates, indicates that anxiety increases motor symptoms of Parkinson's, worsening the patient’s quality of life. By helping Parkinson's patients shift focus from anxious thoughts, the psychologist allows the patient to focus instead on complying with treatments, such as physical therapy.
Depression in Alzheimer's patients is common, with 40% of patients exhibiting signs of depression. Alzheimer's causes severe memory loss in patients, and eventually death. Older adults who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's are more at risk for developing depression, as they grapple with the idea of living the rest of their lives with a chronic illness.
In the study, “Major and Minor Depression in Alzheimer's Disease: Prevalence and Impact,” published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, Dr. Constantine G. Lyketsos and associates indicated depression worsens symptoms of Alzheimer's in older adults. When depression was present, it was associated with impairment of daily living activities, and frequent wandering, according to the study.
Cancer patients frequently experience depression because of the pain, fear, social concerns, and mortality associated with the disease. According to “Cancer in Older Adults,” published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, depression has negative consequences on both the recovery from the cancer, and the ability to deal with the effects of treatment.
Successful recovery from cancer treatments that demand a great deal from patients both physically and mentally is also linked to successfully managing depression, according to the study. Patients who manage depressive symptoms and keep a positive outlook recover faster.
Want to Learn More?
The field of Geriatric Psychology is one of the fastest growing fields in psychology because of the expanding older population. Studying geriatric psychology will give you insights into different methods of treating the psychological concerns of older adults, and provide input into the much needed services in the coming years.
For more information on a career in geriatric psychology, request information from schools offering degree programs in geriatric psychology.