Intervention, Consultation, and Other Service Provision: A Foundational Geropsychology Knowledge Competency

To address the shortage in geriatric behavioral health professionals, it is crucial for more psychologists to become competent in working with older adults. This article will provide an overview of foundational geropsychology knowledge regarding intervention, consultation, and related services. We will begin by reviewing general and specialized psychological interventions with older adults, as well as adaptations based on aging-related changes and diverse care settings. Next, we will review health and medical factors that can impact service delivery. We will highlight characteristics of different treatment settings and interdisciplinary collaboration in providing consultation services, as well as services such as health promotion and illness prevention. We will summarize administrative best practices when psychologists work with older clients, including documentation of medical necessity for psychological services, billing, and reimbursement procedures compliant with state and federal laws and regulations. Finally, we will end with a discussion of ethical and legal considerations such as informed consent, confidentiality, substitute or end-of-life decision-making and potential conflicts of interest, diminished capacities, and elder abuse and neglect. Public Health Significance Statement Given the growing population of older adults aged 65 and older, there is a need for psychologists who are competent to provide psychological services to older adults. Psychologists who find themselves working with older adults are encouraged to enhance their knowledge and competencies specific to diverse older adult populations and treatment settings to ensure high quality care of older clients. The authors hope that information provided within this article will serve as a guide to providing foundational knowledge competencies related to providing interventions and consultation services with older adult clients.