Browsing by Subject "Geriatrics"
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Item Counseling for wellness: A case study of wellness counseling groups(2013-05) Berry, Jeremy; Hendricks, Bret; Crews, Charles R.; Duemer, Lee S.This dissertation outlined a need within the research for investigating issues salient in the lives of the aging population, and the need for identifying an understanding of the use of a wellness counseling model with the aging population. The content of the group counseling sessions within this study utilized the Wheel of Wellness model for counseling. As the aging population continues to expand, it in increasingly important that the counseling field continues to explore new treatment models and continues to work to understand the various issues that may be important to this population. The literature review in this dissertation focused on the developmental aspects of aging that are experienced and the use of group counseling with the aging population. The methods section of this qualitative study utilized grounded theory (Glaser, 1998), and was a case study format. A group of adults over 65 took part in 12 weekly group counseling sessions implementing a wellness model of counseling, specifically the Wheel of Wellness. The sessions were recorded using audio equipment and then analyzed using thematic coding procedures and NVIVO 10 software to aid in the coding procedure. Participants were also interviewed prior to the counseling experience to gauge understanding of the model and its components and to highlight initial interest in the model. In addition, each participant was interviewed following the groups to discuss their interest in the group process, counseling, and wellness. The counselor's experiences working with a wellness model and the aging population was also explored. Limitations of this study were also discussed. The results of the study indicated the following themes: Change and adaptations, family and traditions, loneliness and isolation, control over choices, healthcare needs, education, fear and loss, acceptance and growth, death and dying, community and support, spiritual connectivity, and the importance of humor. In conclusion, increased awareness of the thought, feeling, emotions, and behaviors of the aging population, as well as increased awareness of their reception to counseling and specific models of counseling such as wellness counseling, will promote advocacy and social justice within the population. In addition, such awareness may aid in helping counselors become more effective in working with the population, and will help counselor education programs in preparing counselors to work within this population. Group counseling using wellness as a counseling model appeared to be effective within this population, and allowed the group members to take an active interest in their treatment and to understand the relationships between various aspects of their lived experiences and their overall health and well-being. Future research should explore wellness counseling within the aging population in individual counseling and the circumplex relationship of the components of the Wheel of Wellness.Item THE USE OF TOUCH WITH OLDER ADULTS IN MUSIC THERAPY SESSIONS(2017-04-18) Hughes, Marcus James; Miller, Karen; Dachinger, Carolyn; Al-Kofahy, LilibethThe purpose of this study was to explore how board-certified music therapists are currently using touch with older adults in clinical music therapy settings, what factors influence the use of touch, and which, if any, trainings are being implemented. Three forms of touch were defined and used in this study including: simple touch, protracted touch, and dynamic touch. Previous research within the music therapy and related fields suggest that touch is an important variable for consideration within a therapeutic context, and that there is potential for benefit by older adult clients. The independent variables analyzed were gender, race/ ethnicity, personality type, region, age, years of experience, philosophical/ theoretical orientation, diagnoses served, settings served, caseload, functions of touch, reasons for restriction of touch, and training received. A survey was created and sent using emails for 973 board-certified music therapists who identified as working with the geriatric population that were purchased from the Certification Board for Music Therapist. Of those individuals, 186 people completed the survey and met the inclusion criteria. Several findings were generated from this study. First, participants indicated using simple touch more frequently than protracted touch. Few participants indicated using dynamic touch on a frequent basis, and no participants indicated being most likely to use dynamic touch compared to simple or protracted touch. Second, the results provide support for the conclusion that diagnosis, setting, functions of touch, restrictions for touch, gender, personality type, region, philosophical orientation, and personal beliefs are all factors that may potentially influence a music therapists use of touch. Finally, the majority of participants who indicated providing massage or more advanced forms of therapeutic touch to clients indicated having received some form of advanced training or supervision from a qualified professional. As a result of this study, it can be concluded that touch is an important factor for consideration by music therapists working with older adults, that touch can have potential for benefit and harm to older adults, and that more training and education is needed in order to better prepare music therapists for appropriate use of touch within a therapeutic context.