The 5 functions of the psychologist in a retirement home

These are the main tasks of psychologists in this institution oriented to the elderly.

Nursing homes have become a very important institutional space to meet some care needs during aging. In this space, psychology has played a relevant role, since 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. the main functions that a psychologist can have within a geriatric residence..

The role of psychology in aging

One of psychology's areas of professional development is the aging process. This is so because the knowledge that psychology generates can help to build important tools to can help to 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 in the process of aging.This is because the knowledge that psychology generates can help to 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 on the basis of health problems. Thus, interventions were limited to the prevention and eradication of diseases associated with aging. However, and given that old age is not a health problem, but a life stage with specific needs, psychology has that has specific needs, psychology has also generated some tools to meet them.

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

5 functions of the psychologist in a nursing home

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

As is the case in much of psychology, such intervention depends very much on the professional's ability to empathize with the needs of othersTheoretical knowledge that he/she has acquired can help him/her to detect and meet these needs. Generally, the ultimate goal of the intervention is to ensure the quality of life of individuals and strengthen active aging.

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

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

1. Generate support groups

The psychologist can act as a facilitator and encourage the creation of support networks among older adults. Doing so is important because it increases the feeling of companionship and recognition through others, which in turn can prevent depressive symptoms.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.

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, follow up on a grief process, enhance autonomy and self-esteem, and so on. In any case, it is important to it is important to accompany according to the needs detected in each person.and avoid transmitting the idea that old age is a problem or a challenge in itself.

3. Orient the institution and the family on the meaning of old age.

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

Since 1991, the UN has identified five efforts to ensure a good quality of life during the aging processDignity, 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 with other stages of life, 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 needs of filiation. Here the role of the psychologist is important because he/she can both enhance the adult's own self-esteem through individual or group interventionsand reduce the situation of vulnerability by intervening in the environment (in the residence, in the family, in the community).

5. Accompanying the approach to death

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

Bibliographical 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 05, 2018. Available at http://www.copib.es/pdf/Vocalies/Envelliment/El%20rol%20del%20Psicólogo%20en%20el%20Envejecimiento.pdf.