Mental Disorders in Older Adults: Fundamentals of Assessment and Treatment
- Book Review,
by Steven H. Zarit, Judy M. Zarit
From Book News, Inc.
Provides practitioners with the latest information on the aging process, its effects on mental health, and how older adults can be helped to lead happier lives. Describes normal processes of aging, then details the assessment and treatment of disorders most commonly experienced by older adults, including Alzheimer's, depression, anxiety, and paranoia. Examines a variety of therapeutic approaches for each disorder, and discusses frequently prescribed medications. A special section is devoted to working with families. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR
Review
"I found one of this book's great strengths to be the authors' ability to enrich the theoretical and research-based material they present with practice wisdom and practical advice for clinicians just beginning work with older adults. The insights they share with readers are clearly the result of many years of experience working with this client group, and as such provide engaging and convincing additions to some of the more formal content....a very useful, readable and up-to-date introduction to clinical work with older mentally ill adults....this book...provides a scholarly yet very accessible resource for health professionals interested in developing skills in this field." --Social Work in Health Care
"The authors provide a great deal of material in each area on basic considerations of assessment...and emphasize the importance of history acquisition. They provide clinical examples that enhance and bring to life the information presented....This book...is very well done. It provides excellent references and strong clinical materials. The authors focus on function rather than disease and their use of clinical situations re-enforces their emphasis on the importance of respecting the individual and family unit....this book makes an excellent contribution to the field of mental health and aging. It can serve as a reference for healthcare professionals, graduate students, and in some instances, older persons and their family members." --Journal of Women and Aging
"...an excellent source book that covers just about every topic in the area of mental disorders affecting the elderly....The text is enhanced by enlightening anecdotes and examples....This book will serve as an excellent text for graduate students and beginning gerontologists, and I suspect it will stimulate many readers to enter the rewarding specialty of treating the elderly." --American Journal of Psychotherapy
"...the book has much to recommend it. Two accomplished practitioners and researchers offer a spirited and holistic approach to working with older adults. Their optimism will go a long way in inspiring our students and in helping established practitioners to take a fresh approach toward a range of problems." --Aging & Mental Health
"This well researched book presents information on the normal aging process, cognitive disorders (e.g., dementia, delirium and brain injuries), and mental disorders affecting older adults. The expert authors provide up-to-date information on psychological testing and neuropsychological assessment, as well as treatment options and clinical practice concepts." --UPDATE (Family Caregiver Alliance Newsletter)
"...a rich guidebook for assessing and treating the most common mental disorders likely to be encountered by mental health professionals working with older adults....Intended for a wide audience that encompasses students as well as mental health professionals from all disciplines, the book provides broad-ranging and in-depth clinical information based on a solid foundation of current research....The authors are successful...making the book very practical for clinicians working with older adults. The vast amount of information presented in the text is well organized around case studies, specific details, and appendices....useful to readers of multiple disciplines at several levels of training....an exceptional contribution to the field of geropsychology....a book that is truly the one of its kind....it will be key sourcebook for experienced practitioners, who are interested in beginning work with aging, and for students, and will serve as a reference for seasoned geropsychologists." --Contemporary Gerontology
"...[an] important, practical contribution to the existing literature on the mental health of the aged....This very readable book will be useful for all mental health professionals, whether experienced or neophyte." --Readings
"...a comprehensive and readable resource for clinicians and clinical students who work with older people and their families....useful to upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty in psychology, social work, and gerontology, as well as to practitioners." --Choice
Review
"I found one of this book's great strengths to be the authors' ability to enrich the theoretical and research-based material they present with practice wisdom and practical advice for clinicians just beginning work with older adults. The insights they share with readers are clearly the result of many years of experience working with this client group, and as such provide engaging and convincing additions to some of the more formal content....a very useful, readable and up-to-date introduction to clinical work with older mentally ill adults....this book...provides a scholarly yet very accessible resource for health professionals interested in developing skills in this field." --Social Work in Health Care "The authors provide a great deal of material in each area on basic considerations of assessment...and emphasize the importance of history acquisition. They provide clinical examples that enhance and bring to life the information presented....This book...is very well done. It provides excellent references and strong clinical materials. The authors focus on function rather than disease and their use of clinical situations re-enforces their emphasis on the importance of respecting the individual and family unit....this book makes an excellent contribution to the field of mental health and aging. It can serve as a reference for healthcare professionals, graduate students, and in some instances, older persons and their family members." --Journal of Women and Aging "...an excellent source book that covers just about every topic in the area of mental disorders affecting the elderly....The text is enhanced by enlightening anecdotes and examples....This book will serve as an excellent text for graduate students and beginning gerontologists, and I suspect it will stimulate many readers to enter the rewarding specialty of treating the elderly." --American Journal of Psychotherapy "...the book has much to recommend it. Two accomplished practitioners and researchers offer a spirited and holistic approach to working with older adults. Their optimism will go a long way in inspiring our students and in helping established practitioners to take a fresh approach toward a range of problems." --Aging & Mental Health "This well researched book presents information on the normal aging process, cognitive disorders (e.g., dementia, delirium and brain injuries), and mental disorders affecting older adults. The expert authors provide up-to-date information on psychological testing and neuropsychological assessment, as well as treatment options and clinical practice concepts." --UPDATE (Family Caregiver Alliance Newsletter) "...a rich guidebook for assessing and treating the most common mental disorders likely to be encountered by mental health professionals working with older adults....Intended for a wide audience that encompasses students as well as mental health professionals from all disciplines, the book provides broad-ranging and in-depth clinical information based on a solid foundation of current research....The authors are successful...making the book very practical for clinicians working with older adults. The vast amount of information presented in the text is well organized around case studies, specific details, and appendices....useful to readers of multiple disciplines at several levels of training....an exceptional contribution to the field of geropsychology....a book that is truly the one of its kind....it will be key sourcebook for experienced practitioners, who are interested in beginning work with aging, and for students, and will serve as a reference for seasoned geropsychologists." --Contemporary Gerontology "...[an] important, practical contribution to the existing literature on the mental health of the aged....This very readable book will be useful for all mental health professionals, whether experienced or neophyte." --Readings "...a comprehensive and readable resource for clinicians and clinical students who work with older people and their families....useful to upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty in psychology, social work, and gerontology, as well as to practitioners." --Choice
Book Description
This volume presents the foundational knowledge and skills that mental health practitioners need to meet the growing needs of our aging population. Thorough coverage is provided of normal aging processes and their effects on intellectual functioning, memory, personality, and other areas. Common psychological problems are discussed, and a comprehensive framework for evaluation and treatment is delineated. Outlining helpful concepts and approaches to guide psychotherapeutic work with this population, the book describes ways to coordinate psychological interventions with psychiatric treatment and supportive services. A special section is devoted to working with families on alleviating caregiver stress, simplifying the senior's living environment, and weighing difficult decisions about the level of assistance a loved one may need. Other topics covered include working as a consultant in nursing homes and dealing with ethical questions around confidentiality and end-of-life issues. An essential resource for clinicians, this book also serves as a text for courses in psychology and aging, gerontology, and geriatric psychology.
Book Info
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park. Discusses assessment and treatment of mental disorders in the elderly. Focuses on psychosocial interventions. For students and practitioners. DNLM: Mental Disorders--in old age.
About the Author
Steven H. Zarit, PhD, earned his doctorate at the University of Chicago in 1972, with an emphasis in adult development and aging. He is Professor of Human Development and Assistant Director of the Gerontology Center at Pennsylvania State University and is also Adjunct Professor at the University College of Health Sciences, Sweden. His research, teaching and clinical practice has focused on issues in later life, particularly dementia and family caregiving.
Judy M. Zarit, PhD, earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Aging at the University of Southern California in 1982. She has been in private practice in State College, Pennsylvania since 1986, specializing in neuropsychological assessment of dementia and clinical interventions with older adults. She provides consultation services to nursing homes, dementia units, and assisted living facilities.
Excerpted from Mental Disorders in Older Adults: Fundamentals of Assessment and Treatment by Steven H. Zarit, Judy M. Zarit. Copyright © 1998. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Contents 1. Introduction: Concepts and Practice with Older Adults 2. Normal Process of Aging 3. Disorders of Aging: Dementia, Delirium, and Other Cognitive Problems 4. Functional Disorders in Later Life 5. Clinical Assessment 6. Psychological Testing for Differential Diagnosis and Competence Evaluations 7. Basic Issues in Treatment 8. Treatment of Depression 9. Coordination of Mental Health and Aging Services 10. Paranoid Disorders 11. Treatment of Dementia 12. Family Caregiving 13. Consultation in Institutional Settings 14. Ethical Issues in Geriatric Psychology
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