Although we speak of "the elderly" as if there were one body of people with common characteristics, older adults are more heterogeneous than any other popu­ lation. People over the age of 65 are also the fastest-growing segment of the population in the United States, currently numbering 25 million. The majority of older adults reside in their communities; a small fraction of them are cared for in institutions. Most may expect to experience some kind of physical impairment. Approximately a quarter of the population may expect to suffer amental health impairment. While traditional therapies have not been especially effective for older adults, behavior therapy has shown exceptional promise as a treatment modality. This book presents a comprehensive explication of the relatively new field of behavioral gerontology. It was written for the clinician interested in the interaction of medical, environmental, and psychological variables and their effects on treatment of elderly clients and for the researcher who will be looking to extend knowledge about interventions with this population. It will be useful for the graduate student in clinical psychology, as weIl as the experienced clinician, who will want to include the elderly in his or her therapeutic population.

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I. The Behavioral Approach to Aging.- 1. Behavioral Gerontology.- II. Factors Affecting Treatment of the Elderly.- 2. Medication and the Aging Organism: A Guide for the Non-Prescribing Clinician.- 3. Nutritional Factors in Aging.- 4. Residential Factors in Behavioral Programming for Elderly.- 5. The Influence of Social Support Factors on the Well-Being of the Elderly.- 6. The Complexities of Cognitive Impairment and the Process of Aging.- III. Treatment Applications.- 7. Stress and Stress Management with the Elderly.- 8. The Promotion of Positive Social Interaction through Social Skills Training.- 9. Problems in (Really) Living: Behavioral Approaches to the Elderly's Goals Regarding Dating, Marriage, and Sex.- 10. Behavioral Assessment and Treatment of Depression in Older Adults.- 11. Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions for Age-Related Memory Impairment.- 12. Insomnia as a Problem for the Elderly.- 13. Behavioral Treatment of Aged Alcoholics and Drug Addicts.- 14. The Problem of Urinary Incontinence.- 15. Treatment Applications for Psychological and Behavioral Problems of the Elderly in Nursing Homes.- 16. Behavioral Medicine for the Health Concerns of the Elderly.- 17. Pain Management.- 18. Pet-Facilitated Therapy and the Elderly Client.- IV. Interventions in the Health and Community Care Systems.- 19. Behavioral Staff Training and Management in Geriatric Long-Term Care Facilities.- 20. Behavioral Programs for Families of Dependent Elderly.- 21. The Delivery of Health Care Services to Older Adults.- 22. Teaching the Use of Community Services to Elderly People and Their Families.