CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: Maria Catena Ausilia QUATTROPANIExpected Learning Outcomes
Course intends to prepare future psychologists to face challenges posed by lengthening of life and the demographic trend of the Italian population, focusing on the neurocognitive, emotional and affective-relational changes of old age, the dynamics linked to physiological aging and psychological and related interventions to support active longevity and successful aging. Will be examined impact of chronic pathologies and psychological risk or protective factors on aging trajectories and on neuropsychological, affective and functional performance in the "fragile" elderly through multifunctional evaluation and intervention. The objective is to provide methodological and practical tools for clinical management in identifying indicators of psychological fragility that can affect the well-being of the elderly person. Course also includes the acquisition of the main quantitative and qualitative methods to early identification of signs of cognitive deterioration and development of evidence-based intervention projects.
At the end of the course the student will obtain the knowledge necessary to operate in the field of clinical psychology of aging and skills relating to specific assessments and interventions. Students gained knowledge relating to the different topics covered by the lessons and understand the connection between theoretical approaches, research results, evaluation tools and planning of interventions for older people and their care-givers. Students will acquire the skills to intervene with specific psychological-clinical tools to promote active aging and make use of specific prevention, diagnosis and intervention in different care contexts.
Course Structure
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Textbook Information
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theories of aging | #1 |
| 2 | Biopsychosocial factors | #1 |
| 3 | Skills and role of the aging psychologist | #1 |
| 4 | Changes in old age (cognitive, neural, sensorial) | #1 |
| 5 | Longevity, prevention and active aging | #1 |
| 6 | Emotions, relationships and resilience in aging | #1 |
| 7 | Evaluation and management of the frail elderly | #1 |
| 8 | Clinical models of dementia (cognitive and non-cognitive disorders, assessment and early diagnosis, support for diagnosis, caregiver management) | #1 |
| 9 | Communication with demented patients | #1 |
| 10 | Tools for informal caregivers and formal operators | #1 |
| 11 | Psychosocial model of care and interventions | #1 |
| 12 | Bio-psycho-social multifactorial approach | #1 |
| 13 | Analysis of the person's functioning. Individualized projects in clinical practice | #1 |
| 14 | Methods of relating to the person with dementia | articles provided by teacher |
| 15 | The Validation method | articles provided by teacher |
| 16 | Caregiver stress management | articles provided by teacher |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The evaluation criteria are based on:
- acquisition of the main concepts and theoretical approaches of clinical health psychology;
- clarity of presentation;
- competence in use of specialist vocabulary
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Skills of the aging psychologist
Theories of aging
Contexts and lifestyles crucial for successful aging
What changes in the abilities of the elderly?/Sensory changes in elderly people/Cognitive changes in old age/Neural changes in old age
Longevity, prevention, cognitive training and their effectiveness
Life Long Learning
Protective factors against dementia
Emotions, relationships and resilience in aging
Aging and loneliness/ Mourning and dying
Fragility, change and illness/ Frailty and cognitive abilities/ Multidimensional assessment of frailty in older people
Management of the frail elderly person
The influence of covid-19 on the frailty of the elderly population
Cognitive and non-cognitive disorders in dementia
Evaluation of dementia in older people
Early diagnosis
Communication and relationship with the person with dementia
Psychosocial model of care and interventions
Stress management in caregivers