Discussion: Biopsychosocial Holistic Approach With Elderly/Aging Clients
As you know, social workers look at a given client holistically. They examine the biological, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural factors that influence the clientâs situation or behavior. As such, they receive insight into the whole person, rather than focusing on just one domain. Why might this perspective be especially valuable when working with the elderly/aging population? And in what ways might social work interventions incorporate this holistic approach?
In this Discussion, you analyze why the holistic perspective might be needed for working with elderly/aging adults. You then select an intervention for use with this population and consider the extent to which it approaches the client holistically.
To Prepare:
⢠Review the Learning Resources on interventions with elderly/aging adults.
⢠Access the Clinical Social Work Interventions link in the Learning Resources.
⢠On that site, explore three different interventions for use with elderly/aging adults. Select one that you can see yourself using in practice with elderly/aging clients. Note that you may also do additional research in the Walden Library to select a different intervention beyond those listed on the site.
⢠Consider how the intervention you selected might help you address wellness holistically.
By Day 3: FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY
Explain the significance of addressing wellness holistically with the elderly/aging population. Then, identify and describe your selected intervention for this population. In what ways is the intervention you chose holistic? PLEASE USE SUBHEADINGS.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two colleagues with 2-3 sentences who chose a different intervention and provide insight and/or feedback. Please Be sure to respond to each of the below Responses individually. BE SURE TO USE SUBHEADINGS
COLLEAGE 1: K.H.
Significance of Addressing Wellness Holistically
Holistic wellness is a positive approach to an older personâs well-being. Holistic wellness focuses on physical, social, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Focusing on the body and mind allows the older adult to become psychologically well adapted in the latter years and promotes a healthy and positive attitude towards aging (Fullen et al., 2018).
Intervention and Holistic Characteristics
The intervention I chose was dance movement therapy. Professionally trained instructors lead dance movement therapy. This intervention is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to increase the client’s emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration. Dance movement therapy (DMT) emphasizes mind-body connection in the elderly. Research suggests that DMT therapy improves the quality of life, reduces depression and positivity of mood, and improves emotional health. DMT promotes healthy aging in people 65 and older. DMT also stimulates the respiratory and circulatory systems while enhancing mobility and self-esteem (Rajagopalan, 2022).
References
Rajagopalan, J. (2022). Dance Movement Therapy for the Elderly:
A Holistic Approach. Indian Journal of Gerontology, 36(2), 201-214.
Fullen, M. C., Richardson, V. E., & Granello, D. H, (2018). Comparing successful aging, resilience, and holistic wellness as predictors of the good life. Educational Gerontology, 44(7), 459-468. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2018.1501230
COLLEAGUE 2: M.V.
Explain the significance of addressing wellness holistically with the elderly/aging population.
Holistic approach for the elderly helps focus more on the overall wellness, the whole person, than just one area (HighGate Senior Living, 2022). âHolistic health care is an approach to health and wellness that focuses on mind, body, and spirit (2022).â The author continues to share how one area can influence the overall of oneâs health (2022). In addition, holistic approach teaches the elderly how to use the connection between body, brain, and mind to be able to heal and cope with life circumstances (2022). This approach increases the hope and growth of the elderly and reduce symptoms of medical conditions and mental health (2022).
Then, identify and describe your selected intervention for this population.
An intervention I would use for the elderly is Strength-Based Therapy. Strength-Based therapy is a positive psychotherapy that focuses more on strengths and resources and less on weakness and other negative areas of life (Psychology Today, 2022). Building on the elderlyâs strength can provide awareness of their best qualities, improving resilience, and changing a perspective to a positive one (2022). The elderly population is known to become more isolated, less to none visits from family or friends, and deal with physical and mental conditions that impair them of their functioning (2022). This therapy would be great to build on the low-self-esteem and reduce symptoms of those with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions
(2022).
In what ways is the intervention you chose holistic?
Strength-Based Therapy can be used in a holistic way in that it allows the client to share their stories that have caused distress, pain, or trauma and pointing out the strengths of those stories (Psychology Today, 2022). The goal of this intervention is to be self-aware of the skills and strengths the client already has to use when faced with a situation (2022). This therapy is used holistically in that the client will be able to become aware of the stressful events and be able to manage those emotions through the skills that they have used already that have been helpful. Also, through strength-based therapy, the elderly can develop goals of being active and part of activities that is appropriate for each individual to give them a sense of belonging (Brandell, 2020). While providing the client assistance, being supportive, using active listening, and showing empathy is said to make the elderly content and grateful at their age that someone is listening (2020).
References:
HighGate Senior Living. (2022). Guide to Holistic Health Care for Older Adults.
https://info.highgateseniorliving.com/guide-to-holistic-healthcare-for-older-adults-pillar
Psychology Today. (2022). Strength-Based Therapy.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/strength-based-therapy
Brandell, J.R. (2020). Theory & practice in clinical social work (3rd ed.). 334-355, 545-566, 567-588.
Gitterman, A. & Knight, C. (2019). Non-death loss: Grieving for the loss of familiar place and for precious time and associated opportunities. Clinical Social Work Journal, 47
(2), 147-155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-018-0682-5
Walden University, LLC. (2022). Clinical social work interventions [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu