As more than 6 million people in the United States are living with dementia, it is important to foster and train counselors who are specialized in dementia. This case report explores the process and benefits of counseling when individuals and families are impacted by dementia. By understanding multiple changes in the individual and the family system, a counselor can provide guidance and resources to navigate and adapt changes during the disease process.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults experienced great levels of social isolation and feelings of loneliness. We developed a telephone reassurance program, Caring Callers, to provide a weekly phone call to socially isolated older adults. Dyads were created which comprised of a Senior Companion volunteer and a homebound older adult.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Bird Tales is a meaningful activity that creates indoor-based nature experiences for older adults in residential care. This study examined the impact of Bird Tales by understanding what attributes of birds take on meaning to older adults and piloting the program to assess the psychosocial impact on older adults in an assisted living facility.
Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study.