Disturbed Behavior in the Elderly provides information pertinent to the needs of those giving care as well as of the elderly themselves. This book presents relevant topics of contemporary psychiatric importance. Organized into four parts encompassing 11 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the clinical, administrative, and interpersonal problems posed by the elderly patient with disturbed behavior. This text then examines the rational management of disturbing behavior among the elderly in health care and other residential settings. Other chapters consider the use of medications and psychotropic drugs in old age. This book discusses as well the great value of drug therapy in alleviating the sufferings of the elderly and helping them restore the equilibrium that has been disturbed by aging, physical disability, and shrinking socio-economic network around them. The final chapter deals with staff burnout, job stress, and low morale in dealing with the elderly. This book is a valuable resource for geriatric psychiatrists and caregivers.

2008 AJN Book of the Year Winner! Like its popular predecessor, the new edition of Bathing Without a Battle presents an individualized, problem-solving approach to bathing and personal care of individuals with dementia. On the basis of extensive original research and clinical experience, the editors have developed strategies and techniques that work in both institution and home settings. Their approach is also appropriate for caregiving activities other than bathing, such as morning and evening care, and for frail elders not suffering from dementia. For this second edition, the authors have included historical material on bathing and substantially updated the section on special concerns, including: Pain Skin care Determining the appropriate level of assistance Transfers The environment An enhanced final section addresses ways to support caregivers by increasing their understanding of the care recipient's needs and their knowledge of interventions to improve care and comfort. It also emphasizes self-care and system-level changes to promote person-directed care. Several chapters include specific insights and wisdom from direct caregivers.

Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population. Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual's circumstances and perceptions. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity. As older adults are particularly high-volume and high-frequency users of the health care system, there is an opportunity for health care professionals to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults summarizes the evidence base and explores how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. This report makes recommendations specifically for clinical settings of health care to identify those who suffer the resultant negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness and target interventions to improve their social conditions. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults considers clinical tools and methodologies, better education and training for the health care workforce, and dissemination and implementation that will be important for translating research into practice, especially as the evidence base for effective interventions continues to flourish.

It has been estimated that there are at least 2,500,000 adults, 10% of the population above age 65, who are currently in need of some sort of mental health services (Kramer, Taube, and Redick, 1973). Other estimates are even higher (e. g. , Pfeiffer, 1977). It is expected that this number will increase as the number of older adults increases over the next 40 years. Probably less than 400 clinical psychologists are now provid ing services to this age group. The number of elderly patients actually seen by these psychologists is very, very small. One national survey found that of 353 psychologists who reported that they had older clients, only 495 individuals were seen for psycho logical testing and 1423 for psychotherapy in the one month just prior to the response (Dye, in press). Assuming that the same in dividuals were not seen for both testing and therapy within the one month period--a questionable assumption--approximately . 08% of the at least two-and-one-half million older adults in need of psychological services are now being supplied with these services in some form or another. Thus, the need for increased involvement of clinical psychology with the aged is undeniable. However, few resources currently exist which will serve to increase the number of clinical psychologists trained to meet this need. Probably less than 100 clinical psychologists living today have received any kind of formal graduate training in the clinical psychology of the aging (Storandt, 1977).