Grey Relationships: Clinical Issues in Aging, Health and Sex

Grey Relationships: Clinical Issues in Aging, Health and Sex

Course Description:

This seminar is aimed at helping therapists understand the complexities of grey relationships among older adults. This course explores the unique challenges faced by older adults navigating relationships complicated by aging, health challenges and sexual issues. This seminar explores clinical issues such as understanding dynamics of long- and short-term relationships, coping with aging, health and memory changes, family dynamics, generational cohort and life satisfaction. 

Through discussions and lecture, attendees will gain valuables perspectives on understanding the unique dynamics of working with an older population and the challenges they face on a daily basis. In addition, this seminar will offer therapists practical hands-on strategies, clinical skills and tools that are easy to utilize with clients. It will also provide clinicians with insight into helping their clients develop insight, coping skills, learn self-advocacy skills, set boundaries, understand the dynamics, fostering resilience and empowerment in this specific life stage.

Learning Objectives:

 1. Participants will deepen their comprehension of the emotional intricacies and psychological impact surrounding 'grey relationships,' gaining insights into the unique challenges relating to aging, health and sex.

2. Attendees will acquire effective therapeutic strategies and intervention approaches tailored to support older adults. These strategies will provide clinicians with an in depth understanding of issues relating to aging, generational cohort, adult children, financial implications, grief processing, examining self-identity, dementia, friendships, illness, generational cohort and fostering emotional resilience.

3. Participants will explore and obtain tools to help clients navigate the impact aging on familial relationships, life transitions, facilitating healthy communication.

4. Participants will identify techniques to promote well-being and resilience in older adults. This includes guiding clients toward self-empowerment, assisting in setting new life goals, navigating relationships, lifestyle changes, addressing the emotional impact of health, memory and aging concerns as well as a connection to community.

This program is appropriate for all post master’s professionals who are working with individuals, couples, and families.

Teaching Methods:

• This course will be taught with a combination of methods including didactic lecture and integration of role plays and case examples.
• Offer participants the information needed to practice the skills, techniques and strategies that prepare them for working with older adults.
• Engage participants in experiencing the client perspective through case discussion.

Specific new skills that will be taught include:

• Participants will learn how to help their clients navigate relationship dynamics of relationships among older adults.
• Participants will develop strategies to help clients cope with physical, cognitive, sexual and emotional changes associated with aging and generational cohort.
• Participants will understand the unique challenges for older adults facing health issues, including chronic illnesses and memory and sexual changes.
• Explore clinical skills and psychoeducation on coping strategies and resilience-building techniques for older adults.
• Explore the role of adult children and extended family members as people age, including potential conflicts, loyalty issues, and caregiving responsibilities.
• Facilitate therapeutic interventions to help older adults adjust to aging challenges rework self-esteem, and rediscover meaning and purpose.
• Provide clinical skills that focus challenge including but not limited to; grief and loss, family communication, aging, illness, the disruption of future plans, resilience, and the potential for new beginnings in later life.