Adaptation skills in the elderly, their supporters and carers

The elderly, their supporters and carers are a large group, relatively neglected by psychologists. They appear to have need of training in adaptation skills in areas which include: orientation; activities of daily living; coping with relocation; memory and reminiscence; problem solving; self-care of health; coping with depression or anxiety; facing bereavement and other loss; and confronting dying. For care staff, promoting independent behaviour in elderly residents, maintaining positive attitudes and implementing organizational change are important, and for supporters effective use of resources and coping with caregiving strain. Reality orientation, behaviour modification, memory and reminiscence training, individual and group counselling, bibliotherapy and psychotherapy have been widely used but rarely evaluated thoroughly. Texts and training programmes for carers and supporters abound, but their effectiveness awaits detailed investigation.