Psychology barriers to late adult physical rehabilitation - Research Paper Example

? Psychology barriers to late adult physical rehabilitation Insert Semester Introduction Psychology has a number of broad fields, and rehabilitation is among them. Rehabilitation psychology entails an outstanding deal of knowledge application. This means that the psychologist physically helps those with disabilities in society through an array of activities for instance clinical practice, public education, advocacy, development of social policy and research (Friedman, 2011). Rehabilitation psychologist is the person performing the service on behalf of his clients. These psychologists perform a variety of activities including; clinical care, service provision, research, program development, education, public policy. This implies that the rehabilitation psychologist works in diverse settings including the acute care hospitals, both inpatient and outpatient units, nursing homes and other living centers. In addition, the rehabilitation psychologist deals with chronic illnesses and various forms of disabilities. The illnesses cured through rehabilitation psychology include; deafness, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy. Sports, pain, injury and cardiac conditions also call for rehabilitation psychologist services, as well. The rehabilitation psychologists work for both the private and public sectors. The public sectors enjoy the services of veteran psychologists who are usually well endowed with vast experience (DeLisa, Gans, & Walsh, 2004). The services of a rehabilitation physiologist transverse the lifespan of an individual since early childhood stages through to the late stages of adulthood. It is evident that many of the rehabilitation psychologists are university or college lecturers mainly in the teaching discipline. The intention of this discussion is to delineate the psychology barriers emanating from late physical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation psychologists seek to alleviate the lives of the physically disabled persons in society. There is a variety of diseases that limit the physical capabilities of an individual. For instance, the chronic, traumatic illnesses result to a variety of sensory, physical, neurocognitive, and other development disabilities. This may include; brain injury, stroke, amputations, and other related medical conditions which need rehabilitation psychologists’ services. The main aim allied to rehabilitation services is an objective to improve the functionality of the disabled in society. Rehabilitation psychologists minimize the limitations and any other societal participation restrictions. The personal account of the one seeking medical attention comes into play since the needs and resources involved revolve around personal preferences (Liebenson, 2007). Rehabilitation psychologists combat a considerable challenge while handling the old in society. The elderly in society meet a number of hardships. This is because, the elderly in society are fragile and need care and are sensitive. The rehabilitation psychologists have the experience to rejuvenate the ability of the disabled. The elderly seem disabled due to incapacitation as they cannot perform tasks as earlier. The elderly in society cannot meet various hurdles, as well as task compared to the past. This in itself serves as a disability, and the rehabilitation psychologists need to come into play. The memory of the old is at times impaired. To the rehabilitation procedure, this is a down fall since the affected person does not keep track of the process. With this process, it is noteworthy that the patient has reliable memory to enhance the retaining of previously learnt lessons. This invalidates the previous work of the rehabilitation psychologists thus rendering the patient in the same state as before. The memory status of the old majorly interferes with the rehabilitation process and thus makes it difficult to some extent. On the other hand, the environmental location where the old are at times makes it difficult for the rehabilitation psychologists. This is because; the physical activities of the old are at time reduced by the environment they exist. For instance, an old individual living in a home for the old cannot move physically. This implies that when the rehabilitation psychologist entices the patient to move around, the space does not permit it. Rehabilitation services can take place in parks, trails, recreational services, and sidewalks where there is sufficient space to move around. This implies that the environment where the patient lives could inhibit or favor the activities of the psychologist. The other barrier is the fact that the elderly in society are a bit immobile. Immobility implies that the elderly will not be able to move freely. This inability to move tremendously reduces the chances of physical rehabilitation. The process of rehabilitation takes into account personal movement of the patient. The patient has to have the capacity to move to and fro so that the patient can be able to flex the constrained muscles. Movement derives from the earlier lifestyle in the Yester years of patient. It is from the earlier lifestyle that the patient can be able to maintain a stable lifestyle in the foreseeable future. The other limitation comes from barriers allied to individuals based on their personal characters. Some barriers such as technological advances and convenience make it difficult for the rehabilitation process to take positive steps. This is because, the elderly are slowly becoming obsolete in essence that technology is much ahead that they can barely keep up. The rehabilitation process requires some physical exercise where some equipment will be in use. Such an instance incapacitates the patient hence; the patient will not be able to maneuver with the said equipment as required. This hinders the efforts of the rehabilitation psychologists as the patient cannot deal with the upcoming technology. Other personal barriers revolve around the lifestyle of the patient. In the event that the patient has a contravening lifestyle to that required by the psychologists, the efforts of the rehabilitation process might be in vain. For instance, the patient might find it inconvenient to indulge in the practice. Such a tendency will negatively affect the rehabilitation process. Some other patients lack self motivation or just find exercise un-enjoyable. At some age, there erupt certain human misgivings. For instance, a patient fears injury while exercising. This phobia undoubtedly incapacitates the ability of the patient’s exercise level hence the rehabilitation process may fail. When dealing with the elderly, time management is a formidable challenge. Time management is important during the rehabilitation process as it will guide both the patient and the psychologists with regards to the expected requirements. The ability to set personal goals is notable as the patient will not make a commitment to the timetable. For the elderly, it is at times difficult to have set goals that are achievable and realistic (Friedman, & Silver, 2007). This is because; age gets in the way of decision making hence the conclusions availed may not be the best. At times, the elderly lack companions or support from family and friends. When living in a home for the elderly for instance; it is difficult for the inhabitants to interact freely. The rehabilitation psychologists need their patients to get support from friends and family for the program to be successful. This lack of moral support is quite necessary in any healing process. Support from loved ones coupled with courage and the possibility of a better future helps patients a superb deal. Many of the patients subjected to rehabilitation psychologists lack this much needed support at times due to their age. These barriers together incapacitate the endeavors of a physical rehabilitation more so when dealing with the aged in society (Didier, & Bigand, 2010). However, since the aged are still a part of society, implementation of a vital solution that will negate all the misgivings is necessary. For instance, it is beneficial when the psychologists own a park where patients can walk freely and exercise. Counseling and guidance would also help the elderly since they would regain self confidence which is indispensable in this rehabilitation process. Additionally, the old should receive motivation to encourage them exercise more often hence better their live conditions. Timetables would be a valuable tool to alleviate the time management concern. This will seek to ensure that every patient keeps time and is aware of the expected requirements. Time management will also ensure that the psychologists meet the required time frame as regulated by the time table. On the other hand, family and friends should encourage their loved ones hence giving them a course to live. This will help ensure that the aged adhere to the physical rehabilitation requirements with the hope of a better future. References DeLisa, J. A., Gans, B. M., & Walsh, N. E. (2004). Physical medicine and rehabilitation medicine: Principles and practice. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Didier, J.-P., & Bigand, E. (2010). Rethinking physical and rehabilitation medicine: New technologies induce new learning strategies. Paris: Springer. Friedman, H. S. (2011). The Oxford handbook of health psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Friedman, H. S., & Silver, R. C. (2007). Foundations of health psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Liebenson, C. (2007). Rehabilitation of the spine: A practitioner's manual. Baltimore, Mar: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Read More