How A Geriatric Psychologist Can Help With The Challenges Of Aging

The later years of life can be deeply fulfilling and joyful, but they can also involve disruptions to your routines, new sources of stress, and the decline of abilities you once took for granted. These changes may have profound effects on the way you think about yourself and the world around you. If you’re experiencing difficulties with cognitive or mental health as you age or would simply like to better understand how your brain may be changing during this stage of life, a geriatric psychologist might be the right person to ask for help.

What is geriatric psychology? Definition and areas of focus

Geriatric psychology, sometimes shortened to “geropsychology,” is a specialized branch of psychology that addresses questions related to the mental well-being of older adults. These mental health professionals study the effects of the aging process on the human mind, examining the resulting shifts in thinking, emotions, relationships, and behaviors. They also offer psychotherapeutic treatment for older adults who are experiencing symptoms of mental health disorders or are having difficulty adjusting to their current phase of life. 

This specialty may be in ever-greater demand in the coming years as the retired population grows in developed nations around the world. Common research topics within this discipline include the following.

Mental health disorders in older individuals

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Neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease may further increase a person’s likelihood of developing mood and emotional disruptions. Some geriatric psychology research even suggests that these effects may flow both ways—for example, depression may also be a significant risk factor for dementia. 

Psychological adjustment to later life

Older adulthood typically involves a variety of life changes, many of which may be difficult for people to accept. These may include things like:

• Diminished physical and cognitive capabilities
• Retirement from a lifelong career
• Deaths of family members and old friends
• Reduced independence
• More frequent health challenges
• The approaching end of life

Although research suggests that many people become happier in their later years, others may become disoriented and stressed by the many shifts that come with advanced age. Geriatric psychologists are concerned with the factors affecting a person’s ability to cope with these changes and maintain a positive outlook throughout older adulthood. 

Grappling with mortality may play an especially significant role in this adjustment process. The question of how people understand and approach death is a frequent research topic in geriatric psychology.

Behavioral health in aging

Behaviors and lifestyle choices can significantly affect the health and well-being of older individuals. For example, many studies have indicated that habits like exercising, eating nutritious foods, and reducing or eliminating consumption of tobacco and alcohol may help preserve cognitive function in later life. 

Geropsychologists often work to develop strategies that motivate and support healthier choices within the aging population. This might involve providing treatment for substance misuse disorders or behavioral addictions such as compulsive overeating. It can also involve helping elders improve habits like daily exercise, getting enough sleep, and taking any medications on time. 

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Geriatric psychology interventions may also aim to reduce behaviors that can make caring for older individuals more challenging, such as their irritability, agitation, or aggression. These symptoms often accompany various forms of cognitive impairment and dementia and can be significant driving factors behind caregiver burnout.

How to become a geriatric psychologist

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in geriatric psychology, here’s a brief look at the major steps usually involved in the process.

Undergraduate education

Becoming a licensed psychologist in any US state requires at least a master’s degree, and some regions require a doctoral degree as well. However, you can lay the foundation for your later studies at the undergraduate level by pursuing a bachelor’s in a relevant field such as psychology, gerontology, or social work.

By choosing the right electives, you can build a foundation of knowledge that may serve you well when you approach your postgraduate work. Helpful areas of study could include:

• Gerontology (the study of aging)
• Cognitive psychology
• Adult development
• Community health 
• Behavioral health
• Abnormal psychology
• Psychology of grief and loss
• Neuroscience courses with a focus on the aging brain
• Psychology of pain and pain management

Studying these topics now may make it easier to get into and keep up with your desired postgraduate programs later.

Graduate education

Your specific career goals may determine what level of graduate credentials you decide to pursue. Some positions in counseling, clinical social work, education, research, and health services administration may be available to anyone with a master’s degree. 

A doctoral degree may open even more doors, enabling you to practice independently as a clinical psychologist, provide care in large healthcare institutions, or lead research teams investigating questions related to geriatric psychology.

If you’re mainly interested in in-depth research, a Ph.D. might be the best option for you. Or, those who want to focus on patient care may benefit from a Psy.D. program to build the skills and knowledge needed for clinical practice.

Working in your field

Completion of your graduate degree will enable you to look for longer-term positions in geriatric psychology. Examples of relevant jobs include:

• Mental health care in an assisted living facility or nursing home
• Geriatric care in a hospital setting
• Your own practice for psychiatry or clinical psychology
• Academic research on the psychology of aging adults
• Policy research for a government public health agency
• Counseling on topics like aging, grief, lifestyle health, or cognitive health
• Patient care and advocacy in social work programs
• Neurocognitive testing to help older adults assess dementia risk
• End-of-life care in a hospice or retirement community
• Assisting with stroke or heart attack recovery in rehabilitation centers

You can often set yourself up for success by beginning your job search while you’re still in school. As a student, you may have many chances to gather information about places you might want to work, make connections with more experienced professionals, look for interesting research opportunities, and seek out courses, fieldwork, and internships that put you in touch with prospective employers.

Also note that those looking to practice clinical geriatric psychology will generally need to complete a postdoctoral internship as well to gain experience under the guidance of a licensed psychologist. The precise requirements vary by state, but most places mandate several thousand hours of supervised clinical work at a minimum. You’ll also typically have to pass an examination to gain your license.

When should you seek out a geriatric psychologist?

Different individuals will have different mental health needs, but you may benefit from working with a specialist in geropsychology if you’re an older adult and any of the following situations sound familiar:

• You’re feeling a lack of purpose and meaning in your life following retirement
• You’re experiencing absentmindedness and memory problems
• You’re becoming depressed or anxious as you get older and reflect on the approaching end of your life
• You’re having severe, hard-to-manage feelings of sorrow and isolation
• You’re finding it difficult to control your irritability or anger as you age
• You’re having trouble managing self-care for various health conditions
• You’re feeling despair after being diagnosed with dementia
• You need help managing chronic pain or other symptoms of age-related illness

A geriatric psychologist can offer mental health resources for the caregiver

A geriatric psychologist might also be helpful if you’re caring for an aging loved one and are experiencing severe negative feelings such as exhaustion or resentment. In general, this type of professional may be able to offer the mental health resources you need to support healthy aging, whether in yourself or in those you’re caring for.

How to find a qualified geriatric psychologist to help improve mental health

Ask for recommendations from a doctor

There are a few different ways to search for a specialist in geriatric care. You could start by asking your primary care doctor (or your older relative’s main care provider) for a referral; they’ll likely be able to point you toward at least a few options in your healthcare network. Insurance providers may also have search functions enabling you to find therapists who will accept your or your relative’s coverage plan.

Ask a friend or community member

Trusted friends or community members who have experienced similar challenges might also be able to give recommendations to care providers. Local community health organizations or some religious clergy members may have contacts in the mental health field, too. 

Find geriatric clinical psychologists from reliable databases

In addition, various government agencies and nonprofit organizations offer databases that you can search for geriatric care providers or locations like assisted living facilities, including:

• The APA Psychologist Locator
• The ADAA’s Find Your Therapist tool
• The National Register of Health Service Psychologists
• SAMHSA’s Find Treatment tool

Search geriatric therapists through an online therapy platform

Another convenient option is to look for a therapist through an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, which allows you to get matched and meet with a licensed therapist via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging. Since there’s no need to travel to in-person sessions, Internet-based care is often more convenient for older clients who may have limited mobility or availability of transportation. 

Research suggests that therapy delivered over the Internet can be an effective way to bridge the mental health treatment gap between older and younger adults. For example, a 2022 research analysis examined eleven published studies on the topic, and its findings suggest that online interventions resulted in large positive effects on symptoms of stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in aging clients. Seeking support this way may make it easier to connect with the right provider for you.