<p> Depression among the elderly is a significant concern due to the limited evidence-based treatment options and its overall global burden. Walking activity as a form of physical activity serves as an evidence-based intervention in addressing the issue of depression among the elderly. The depression level among elderly patients was examined (n = 17, Mage = 68.71, SD = 3.04) before walking activity using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) &ndash; 15 questionnaire version. Thirty minutes of a bi-weekly walking activity was implemented for eight weeks followed by the depression level measured using the GDS-15. There were statistically significant differences across the variables before walking activity (Mbefore = 7.71, Sbefore = 1.53) and after walking activity (Mafter = 6.59, Safter = 1.58, P = .00) determined through the utilization of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The finding supports the consistent usage of walking activity in reducing the symptoms of depression consequently decreasing mortality and morbidity rate, reducing healthcare expenditure as well as addressing the overall depression related public health concerns. </p><p>

<p> This qualitative case study investigated the impact of sand tray on individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer&rsquo;s and other forms of dementia. Four participants successfully completed the creation of sand trays while the researcher observed, interviewed, and documented the individual sand trays. The intervention established that sand tray allows the dementia patient to kinesthetically connect to their inner cognitions through the intentional symbolic expression offered by this unique therapeutic medium. Using a series of eight sand trays of varying thematic concepts, the participants were offered a modality to facilitate a synthesization of their continued individuation, presenting a possible neural pathway to connect and express thoughts, feelings, emotions, concerns, challenges, and fears. The findings of this study include the fact that all trays were classified as &ldquo;empty&rdquo; and that the majority of the participants placed objects almost exclusively on the right side of the tray, which is commonly associated with the concrete or conscious side. The use of sand tray allowed each individual the opportunity to create autobiographies in the sand and literally navigate through time &ndash; past, present, and future, confronting fears, expressing hope and possibilities. The results of the research study offer insight into the psychotherapeutic effects of using sand tray with dementia patients, as well as a better understanding of the cognitive and expressive abilities and limitations of an individual with impaired memory. The results also offer insight into the difficulties with short-term memory in this population and possibly indicate a potential means for monitoring cognitive decline.</p><p> <i>Keywords:</i> Neurocognitive disorder, Alzheimer&rsquo;s, dementia, sand tray, play therapy.</p>

<p> By 2030, older adults will comprise more than 20% of the population and include 80 million adults age 65 and older (U.S. Census, 2010). A corresponding increase is predicted in the number of older adults in need of mental health counseling (American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2010). According to the Institute of Medicine, in 2012, nearly one in five older adults had one or more mental health and/or substance abuse conditions. There is an emerging demand for counselors who specialize in gerontological counseling to meet the mental health and substance abuse needs of older adults. Despite the anticipated demand to increase the workforce with counselors who specialize in gerocounseling, research has shown that students in the human service professions are not interested or prepared to work with older adults (Institute of Medicine, 2012). This lack of interest and preparedness does not bode well for meeting the future needs of this population. If there is a genuine lack of interest in counseling older adults among counseling students, particularly the youngest to enter the profession, then it is important to explore their perspectives to understand them and design training strategies to prepare them for meeting the mental health needs of older adults. </p><p> This exploratory study used qualitative description to capture the perspectives of eight millennial counselors-in-training (CITs). Data and findings were organized to construct analysis of the themes that emerged. The framework of critical gerontology was used to examine findings. Participants identified primarily with their own aging family members to describe their age-related perspectives. Findings suggest that CITs struggled with their own privileged status as younger adults as they described their perception of how older adults were devalued by society. Evidence revealed a tension as they realized that they will likely counsel older adults regardless of their area of specialization. Students wanted age-related foundational knowledge to help their own aging family members, to work with clients being raised by grandparents, and to assist families in accommodating their aging family members but experienced systemic and structural obstacles that might prevent them from acquiring this knowledge. This research has critical implications for the field of counselor education.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1993. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-06, Section: B, page: 3349.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1996. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-08, Section: B, page: 5349.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 2002. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 62-11, Section: B, page: 5362. Chair: Larry W. Thompson.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 2004. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 64-11, Section: B, page: 5789. Chair: Larry Thompson.

<p> Each year, approximately 10,000 baby boomers will reach age 65. The baby boomer generation encompasses 26% of the total U.S. Population. As members of the baby boomer generation reach older adulthood, they continue to experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, as well as medication and alcohol abuse. These mental health conditions are associated with higher rates of health care usage. In addition, an older adult may jointly suffer from a lower quality of life, increased complex illnesses, disability, and mortality/increased risk of suicide. If an older adult does not have the appropriate mental health support services, he or she may overuse the healthcare system. Obtaining mental health services is still considered taboo for some, while for others the services may not be accessible. Conversations from Home Telemental Health aims to employ innovative technology in telehealth to improve mental health delivery services for the baby boomer population. Its mission is to provide accessible and effective evidence-based therapy designed to engage baby boomers, address their mental health needs, and minimalize premature institutionalization. Conversations from Home&rsquo;s goal as a non-profit organization is to become a leading provider of telemental health services to individuals aged 50 and older in the Westside of Los Angeles and the South Bay. This proposal will provide a detailed evaluation of how Conversations from Home will accomplish these objectives.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between general health condition, living arrangements, socioeconomic status, and depression among elderly adults. The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2011-2012 dataset was utilized in order to conduct the secondary analysis of variables for this study. This study found that there is a significant relationship between general health condition, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, and depression among the sample of elderly adult participants. The results from this study found that elderly participants who reported a poor general health condition (self-rated health) had higher levels of depression, and elderly adults who reported an excellent general health condition had lower levels of depression. A low socioeconomic status was correlated to higher levels of depression among elderly adults. This study also found that elderly minorities have higher levels of depression when compared to their counterparts. Female elderly adults were found to have higher levels of depression than males in this study. The results of this study serve to raise awareness and contribute knowledge of significant contributing factors correlated to depression among the elderly population.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2009. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: B, page: 3431. Adviser: Margaret I. Wallhagen.