COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGISTS AS NURSING-HOME CONSULTANTS - WHAT DO ADMINISTRATORS WANT

Recent developments in federal legislation, reimbursement policies, an d professional politics have promoted wider appeal within professional psychology for consultation services to nursing homes. This article o utlines the need for counseling psychologists to be involved in such c onsultation. Results are reported from a survey of nursing home admini strators that provides information about their perceptions of the ment al health needs of both residents and staff, the problems they find mo st difficult to manage, and the intervention programs they desire. Rec ommendations are made for counseling psychologists to gain entry into the long-term care system as consultants.