The Praeger Handbook of Mental Health and the Aging Community

A comprehensive book written by experienced practitioners, this single-volume work describes clinical competencies, specific challenges, and applications in providing services to the elderly and their caregivers.

More people are living past age 65 than ever before in the United States, largely due to medical care advances and increased attention to preventive care. The number of people aged 65 and older has increased from 35 million in 2000 to 40 million in 2010, and the elderly population is expected to reach 72 million by 2030. Additionally, the American Psychological Association estimates at least 20 percent of all people aged 65 and older have a diagnosable mental disorder. There is a clear need to provide additional training support to those in the field of elder care as well as those who are friends or family members of older adults.

Written by a team of experts each specializing in an aspect of elder care, The Praeger Handbook of Mental Health and the Aging Community is a single-volume text that addresses the training needs of mental health care providers serving the aging population. It offers holistic and integrated models of care after presenting an in-depth explanation of the brain, body, social, and emotional changes across aging that can trigger psychological disorders. The chapters pay attention to issues of diversity and culture in America's aging population; present an integrated care model to serve all of the needs of mentally ill elders; include numerous case studies to demonstrate how approaches can be utilized; and discuss topics such as disability, poverty, and the legal and ethical ramifications of elder care.

• Includes therapeutic interventions and addresses critical elements including diversity, poverty, disability, and the law and ethics of elder care

• Features case studies that clearly illustrate expressive arts, animal-assisted therapy, couple's counseling, family therapy, and evidence-based treatments

• Ideally suited to students, psychologists, counselors, therapists, and health professionals who work with, or aim to practice with, elderly people and their families

• Enables interns in their early years of practice to ensure that their services are appropriate, client centered, client driven, and evidence-based