Using New Attitudes and Technology to Change the Developmental Counseling Focus for Older Populations

Counseling and Human Development, Apr 2003 by Thomas, M Carolyn, Martin, Virginia, Alexander, Jeri Jo, Cooley, Fannie R, Loague, Averil M

According to Riker and Myers (1989), the 70s are a time when leisure becomes more important in one's life and replaces the concentration on work. Relationships with family and friends are strengthened, retirement plans may be altered, learning new skills and building new support systems may become concerns (Maples et al., 2000). The 80s and later years typically include expanding creative activities, changing living arrangements, finding positive ways to adjust to physical changes, and achieving inner peace. Riker and Myers (1989) described the 90s as a time when past problems become less important than current relationships.

When breaking-out the aging process into decades with identifiable developmental tasks, the process seems to be one of building a sense of spiritual wholeness and existential living. This means fully participating in the decisions involved in living one's life each day. In this way, the past becomes less important and the future becomes the product of the most important task: living fully in the present.

Fannie Cooley (Maples et al., 2000) outlined a model for planning one's later years with the goal of living a meaningful life and maximizing one's full potential. Using the five life arenas suggested by Riker and Myers (1989), Richardson recommended planning in the areas of:

1. Professional involvement

2. Community involvement

3. Social involvement

4. Intellectual stimulation

5. Spiritual growth.

For professional involvement, she advocated choosing the intensity of involvement at the national, state, and local levels. As suggestions for community involvement, she included consulting with agencies, joining social organizations, and doing volunteer work. Social involvement might consist of taking classes at a local university's program for seniors, attending elderhostel activities, forming or joining book discussion clubs, or attending fine arts events and conferences. Spiritual and personal growth plans would be highly individualized, but would essentially consist of continuing to seek balance and ego integrity and to maximize one's full potential.

When counselors and older people change their focus from remedying one's limitations and obstacles to planning and preparing for newly defined developmental tasks with strategies and models based on empowerment and fulfillment, aging becomes a process marked by hope. Overcoming despair and the effects of a sliding decline are replaced with the view that aging is the ultimate developmental climb to meaning and fulfillment.

THE BRIDGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Certainly one of the greatest challenges to counselors, older people, and cultures is their use of technology. The belief that technology has left older people behind seems to be a myth. In 2002, nearly half of North Americans age 58 and older were using the Web (Senior Journal.com, 2003). Of those, 94% used the Internet to keep in touch with family and friends and 72% used the Internet to stay current with news and events (Senior Journal.com, 2003). Another myth is that older people learn to use computers from their children and grandchildren. Of 2,084 computer users surveyed in 2002, 76% reported that they taught themselves how to use the Web (Senior Journal.com, 2003).