REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY OF OLDER ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

A person who is older with a disability may have problems that go beyond disability. These can include ongoing and persistent pain, less mobility, reliance on other people for daily activities, loss of valued roles, feeling isolated, financial concerns, ageism, concerns for the future. Rehabilitation psychology takes on the challenge of these concerns by applying psychological knowledge to adjustment, participation, independence and/or quality of life. In this paper, authors examined the many psychological and social issues with which older patients with physical, sensory, cognitive and multiple disabilities frequently struggle and described such interventions that can be carried out in a hospital, rehabilitation center, home and community setting. The biopsychosocial model, Bandura's self-efficacy theory, the stress-and-coping model of Lazarus and Folkman, Baltes selection, optimization and compensation model and Ryff model of psychological well-being guide the analysis. The paper recognizes an important research gap: studies on rehabilitation tend to focus on mobility and basic functioning with less attention during the assessment of identity, autonomy, loneliness, meaningfulness, marital/ family relations and long-term psychological adaptation. Additionally, the literature is too limited in its focus on individuals with disabilities who are ageing onto its issues of diversity and culture, limited resources and infrastructure, and accessibility of older adults for digital services. It is suggested that rehabilitation should be person-centered, interdisciplinary, accessible and ever present in the individual's daily life to ensure effective rehabilitation. Psychological interventions including problem solving, motivational support, grief work, family counselling, peer support, foci on self-management, (SM) education, participation in the community and physical rehabilitation including AT should be combined. A simple practice framework is proposed that an ongoing cycle of assessment, shared goal setting, intervention, practice and review. The paper represents a consensus that the best rehabilitation approach is one that not only enables older adults to accomplish a task but restores their confidence, freedom of choice, social support and sense of dignity and helps them to once again enjoy a rich, fulfilling life. Keywords: disability; Rehabilitation Psychology; Older Adults; Ageing; Psychological Well-Being; Self-Efficacy; Coping.