Crisis intervention with the elderly: Theory, practical issues, and training procedures. By Nancy W. Losee, M.S., Iris A. Parham, Ph.D., Stephen M. Averbach, Ph. D., and Jodi L. Teitelman, Ph.D. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C Thomas, 1988, 185 pages
✍ Scribed by George A. Hughston
- Book ID
- 102446725
- Publisher
- Springer
- Year
- 1991
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 62 KB
- Volume
- 4
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0894-9867
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Crisis intervention with elderly family members, friends, clients, coworkers, or patients has become a reality for almost all of us, and especially for those involved in the helping professions. All too often this intervention requires quick decisions which are unfortunately made by people who have had little training, experience, or interest in the elderly. In contrast, to others who have been professionally involved in the quest to conquer an understanding of the latter portion of our very complex human life span. Gerontology is a broad and multifaceted discipline that covers many professional areas and a vast myriad of problems. For this, and many other reasons, Nancy Losee's comprehensive handbook is a most welcome arrival.
This handbook is designed to facilitate development of community telephone hotlines devoted to crisis intervention with the elderly. Step-bystep directives focus upon basic issues of funding, marketing, volunteer selection, research, and recordkeeping. In addition, the authors emphasize their creative development of a 10-session training manual which provides specific to-be-applied information about crisis counseling skills targeted toward the aged. Losee's manual includes a relatively brief, but relevant discussion of age-related issues of substance abuse, stress, depression, sensory loss, grief, bereavement, dementia and sexuality. Within each segment, procedures on theory, practical issues and training are integrated for use, not only in a hotline setting, but also across a broad spectrum of mental health services which are increasingly being developed for our aging population.
This reviewer found the rather extensive and comprehensive reference list included at the end of the book to be most insightful. Although some professionals may find the book to be a bit "light" in specific problem areas, the reference list should assist by providing additional in-depth information and resources for the gerontological psychotherapist.