Mental Health Concerns of Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Facilities: An Area of Expansion for MFTs

Keywords

Mental health, Care Facilities, Retirement age adults

Abstract

As baby boomers reach retirement age, the number of older adults living in long-term care will inevitably increase. Living in long-term care often brings psychological, relational, and emotional challenges for older adults, their families, and professional care-providers. Despite these trends and associated challenges, there appears to be an underrepresentation of attention addressing the mental health care of older adults and their families in marriage and family therapy (MFT) literature. Emphasis needs to be turned to assessing the quality and effectiveness of mental health resources for older adults in residential facilities, and to filling the gap where needed services are unavailable. The current review summarizes research addressing residential care for older adults, detailing a) mental health challenges faced by residents, families, and professional care-providers, b) effective mental health treatment options, and c) how MFTs are uniquely suited to working in long-term care settings.

Original Publication Citation

Webster, T., Yorgason, J.B., *Maag, A., *Clifford, C., *Baxter, K., & *Thompson, D. (2016). Mental health concerns of older adults living in long term care facilities: An area of expansion for MFTs. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 44, 272-284. doi:10.1080/01926187.2016.1214088

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2016-08-11

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7532

Publisher

The American Journal of Family Therapy

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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