The Potential of Gerontological Counseling

The rapid aging of the Polish population creates new challenges and needs, ­including the development of counseling services for older adults. The analysis aimed to ­identify the needs and expectations of older people in relation to counseling, diagnose the current state of gerontological counseling, and propose a model of gerontological counseling that takes into account the current social context. In the study, which used an interpretative paradigm, I reviewed the literature and conducted expert and informal interviews. The diagnosis points to the lack of a coherent, interdisciplinary system to support older people. The results of the study provide a basis for practical measures to develop a counseling system and educate gerontological counselors. In the proposed model, I assume the integration of counseling with senior policy. In the study, I raise the postulate of professionalizing gerontological counselors and propose a preliminary description of the profile of an academic ­graduate.