The role of psychologists in fostering the wellbeing of older Australians

Bibliographic Data

ID11510286
AuthorsLindsay Gething (The University of Sydney, corresponding author), Heather Gridley (Victoria University, Australia), C Browning (0000-0001-6739-0152, La Trobe University), Edward Helmes (0000-0002-1266-1186, James Cook University), Mary Luszcz (Flinders University), Mary A Luszcz (0000-0002-9268-773X, Flinders University), Jane Turner (0000-0001-6423-4998, Royal North Shore Hospital), Lynn Ward (0000-0002-3006-8247, The University of Adelaide), Yvonne Wells (0000-0002-9678-5580, La Trobe University)
Year2003
Volume38
Issue1
Pages1-10
Publication date2003-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAustralian Psychologist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0005-0067 • E-ISSN: 1742-9544
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00050060310001706957
OpenAlexW2108083610
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited47

The United Nations International Year of Older Persons (IYOP) in 1999 prompted the Australian Psychological Society (APS) to review its responsibilities and to consider the contribution of psychological research and practice to the wellbeing of older Australians. This article reports a series of recommendations for public policy, research, training and psychological practice, drawn from a larger Position Paper that addressed a spectrum of issues. The aim is to encourage psychologists to turn a critical gaze on themselves and to examine ways in which psychology can be used to promote successful ageing. The article begins with a definition of “successful ageing”. This is followed by an examination of ageism and how this affects community expectations of older people and the quality of aged care services. Attention also is given to the low visibility of psychologists in service planning and delivery and to the overemphasis of much psychological research and practice on deficits and decline in later years. The International Year of Older Persons has come and gone, but the true test of its effectiveness will lie in evidence of longer-term changes in attitudes, policies and practices. Psychologists have much to contribute to these changes and to enhancing the wellbeing of older Australians

Active ageing · Aged care · Older people · Political science · Public relations · Service (business · Service delivery framework · Aging and Gerontology Research · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Psychology · Retirement, Disability, and Employment · Gerontology

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