TREATMENT ISSUES WITH ELDERLY CLIENTS

Most older adults are well suited to cognitive and behavioral (CB) int ervention approaches utilizing a collaborative relationship between cl ient and therapist, explicit goal setting, and acknowledgment of the c lient's personal strengths. Therapists need to utilize a biopsychosoci al model in working with older adults and to plan treatment with aware ness of interdisciplinary principles and resources. Effective cognitiv e and behavioral work with the elderly depends on understanding change s in cognitive processing and learning that may be associated with age . Some modifications of cognitive and behavioral techniques to conside r in work with older adults are proposed, in response to differences i n learning styles, sensory deficits, and chronic health problems and t o capitalize on the life experience of older adults.