Providing Counseling for Individuals with Alzheimer’s
In this article it gives the reason for the counseling and the steps and process. The article states that the counselor must have self-awareness and preparedness on the material before he or she holds a counseling session on the material. It states that a counselor must be aware of his or her own biases toward older people so that this would not hinder the listening process. The article also touches on the structure of environment because individuals with Alzheimer’s have difficulty focusing and planning; therefore, structuring their environment becomes very important.
This article also talks about the importance of educating the caregivers because this is an important aspect of counseling. Counselor who work with the caregivers will produce a considerable amount of relief through education on effective strategies for providing care. In the sessions the counselor provides the members with information for social support, respite care, information on medical treatment, and information on doctors and legal issues. Counselors should also aid caregivers in forming support systems by referring to the local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association. Counselors, through their attentiveness, can help prevent the already difficult process of negotiating a debilitating chronic illness from becoming even more unbearable.
Reference Page
Granello, Paul F., and Matthew S. Fleming. “Providing counseling for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.(Clinical report).” Adultspan Journal 7.1 (Spring 2008): 13(13). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. Memphis Shelby County Public Library. 20 July 2008