Introduction
Geriatric counselling is a specialized psychotherapeutic approach tailored to the unique emotional, cognitive, and social needs of older adults (typically 65+) as they navigate life changes such as retirement, loss, chronic illness, and cognitive decline
Definition
Geriatric counselling is every process obtaining the desired results about elderly’s psychological, physical, mental, social, and economic difficulties.
Counselling needs of older adults
- Coping with the changes in spousal relationship.
- Changing intergenerational relationships.
- New roles in grandparenting.
- Changing perspectives toward siblings.
- Coping with physical disabilities.
- Coping with diminishing financial resources.
- Getting rid of the depressive lows.
- Revving up social interaction.
- Getting help in case of traumas.
Goals for Geriatric Counselling
- Help seniors cope with grief, loss, and end-of-life concerns
- Manage depression, anxiety, and adjustment to physical or cognitive changes
- Support role transitions (retirement, relocation, changes in independence)
- Address caregiver stress and improve family communication
- Enhance quality of life through bolstered coping skills and social engagement
Types
- Supportive counseling
It refers to giving temporary support to and helping the elderly to gain strength and the resources to cope.
- Confrontational counseling
It helps individuals to understand their actions during various life situations by pointing out to them their negative actions.
- Educative counseling
It focuses on teaching the client.
- Preventive counseling
It is used to stop problems before they start or to prevent things from getting worse.
- Spirituality counseling
The elderly often seeks for an opportunity to get on to the way to Almighty.
- Depth counseling
It is a long–term relationship in which deep- seated problems of the elderly are uncovered and dealt.
Principles
1.Principle of universality
Counseling should begin with basic knowledge of the aging process, such as normal versus pathological aging, act versus fiction, and stereotypes.
2. Principle of Adaptation
Adaptations have to be made in the traditional counseling Format. Counselors need to be aware of the social context as entering into counseling is a new and possibly intimidating experience for many older adults.
3.Principle of Client Conceptualization
- Social conceptualization: Understand the broad historical timeline of events that may have influenced an elderly person’s perspective on life. This will help the counselor in identifying and understanding the client’s current stage in life.
- Physical conceptualization: The client exhibits physical declines such as difficulty in hearing; act according to the situation.
- Cognitive conceptualization: Ensure better client understanding.
4.Principle of Applicability
Understand the system in which the client lives and act accordingly.
Counseling Process
- Assist older and disabled adults.
- Schedule a mutually convenient date, time, and location for a counseling session.
- Be present 10 minutes early to ensure that everything is in order.
Process of counselling
| SN | Nursing Action | Rationale |
| 1. | Open the session Provide brief introduction regarding the session. Provide objective information to enable the patient to reach well-informed decisions. | To make good rapport and gain trust of the patient. |
| 2. | Fill the format Record the name, date, basic demographic information, type of assistance needed, amount of time spent on counseling, and the counselor’s name.If information is received from another source record in the form. | To keep the counselling session focused and on track. |
| 3. | Problem identification Summarize the patient’s reasons for meeting with the counselor. Identify whether the patient has more serious (physical/mental/social) problems. Collaborate with the elderly in order to discover what specific goals are to be set and work toward them. Plan therapy-based needs and also the patient’s viewpoint to deal with life. | For ease in setting goals. For proper planning. |
| 4. | Action plan Both (counselor and counselee) discuss the course of action to be taken to prioritize the most pressing problem.Encourage the patient to take active participation.Work in close harmony with the patient and understand his or her innermost feelings. | To synthesize and integrate the counselee’s potentialities. |
| 5. | Processing Ensure that the best possible process is realized after mutual understanding with the counselee.Implement the therapy. | |
| 6. | Closing Summarize the information reviewed and procedures followed during the session.Provide a written list or a predefined checklist for follow-up activities. | Helps in further reviews. |
When to Refer
- Complex cognitive impairment requiring neuropsychological evaluation
- Severe psychiatric symptoms (e.g., psychosis, suicidality)
- Medical comorbidities needing integrated care (e.g., palliative teams)
- Legal or financial planning needs (e.g., guardianship, power of attorney)
REFERENCES
- Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
- Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
- Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwers, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
- Adrianne Dill Linton, Medical-Surgical Nursing, 8th Edition, 2023, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323826716
- Donna Ignatavicius, Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Clinical Judgment and Collaborative Care, 11th Edition ,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323878265
- Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323789615
- AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing, 5th Ed. Sarah. Delgado, 2023, Published by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses ISBN: 978-1264269884
- Ernstmeyer K, Christman E, editors. Nursing Fundamentals [Internet]. 2nd edition. Eau Claire (WI): Chippewa Valley Technical College; 2024. PART IV, NURSING PROCESS. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610818/
Stories are the threads that bind us; through them, we understand each other, grow, and heal.
JOHN NOORD
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