Neuropsicología Geriátrica

NeuroRehabilitation 23 (2008) 377–379 377
IOS Press
Guest Editorial
Geriatric Neuropsychology
Thomas A. Martina,∗ and Shane S. Bush b
a
Missouri Rehabilitation Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, USA
b
Long Island Neuropsychology, P.C., Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, USA
1. Introduction functioning are but a small number of the conditions

that can compromise the health and quality of life of
Advances in scientific research and medical care, older adults. Growing appreciation of the aging world-
identification of important factors that contribute to wide population has contributed to increased awareness
long-term physical and mental well-being, and an en- of the need for skilled health care professionals to serve
hanced appreciation of the need to maintain a pro-active this population. Investigation of the readiness of the
approach to health management have all contributed to US health care system to meet the ongoing needs of an
the growing number of older adults living in the United aging population indicates that there is a shortage of
States (US). US census figures indicate that in 2000, 35 geriatric service providers [1]. Moreover, it is believed
million people in America were aged 65 or older [4]. that an interdisciplinary treatment team approach, uti-
This expanding segment of the population is project- lizing a full compliment of various health care profes-
ed to total 47 million in 2016 and 62 million in the sionals, who have obtained specialized training to pre-
year 2025 [5]. Population aging is being experienced pare for the unique challenges commonly encountered
by nearly all of the countries in the world, with the in geriatric practice will be needed [1].
worldwide proportion of older adults growing at a con- Geriatric neuropsychology is a growing subspecial-
siderably faster rate than the total population [3]. In ty of neuropsychology that plays a significant role in
2007, the world proportion of adults age 60 or older providing necessary services to older adults and their
was estimated to be 11%. This percentage is up from support systems. As noted previously, older adults are
8% in 1950, and this age group is projected to account vulnerable to a variety of neurological and psychiatric
for 22% of the worldwide population in 2050 [3]. disorders that may contribute to disability and compro-
The transition into late adulthood is associated mise their quality of life. Neuropsychological assess-
with a number of physical, psychological, and social ment can assist in diagnostic clarification, including
changes [2]. In addition to offering opportunities for distinguishing cognitive decline associated with nor-
personal growth and life enrichment, late adulthood is mal aging from the consequences of a pathological pro-
associated with an increased risk of chronic illness and cess. Identification of an older adult’s neuropsycholog-
disability. Arthritis, acquired brain injury, chronic pain, ical strengths can provide a foundation that supports the
congestive heart failure, dementia, degenerative joint development and implementation of personalized re-
disease, delirium, depression, and diminished sensory habilitation services that can enhance the likelihood of
achieving optimal outcomes. The geriatric neuropsy-
chologist is also positioned to identify the presence of a
∗ Address
for correspondence: Thomas A. Martin, Psy.D., ABPP,
psychological disorder, such as depression or problem-
Missouri Rehabilitation Center, 600 North Main Street, Mt. Vernon,
MO 65712, USA. Tel.: +417 461 5238; Fax: +417 461 5735; E-mail: atic anxiety, which may be contributing to excess dis-
martinta@health.missouri.edu. ability. Providing education and psychological support
ISSN 1053-8135/08/$17.00  2008 – IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved
378 T.A. Martin and S.S. Bush / Guest Editorial
to the family members and loved ones of older adults, family caregivers of older adults. The special issue
some of whom may assume a caregiver role, is anoth- concludes with a review by Martin and Bush of eth-
er opportunity for neuropsychologists to deliver bene- ical considerations related to the practice of geriatric
ficial services to this population. Although it is clear neuropsychology.
that the future health care needs of aging adults will
present challenges to health care systems worldwide,
it is also evident that as members of interdisciplinary 3. Conclusion
treatment teams, geriatric neuropsychologists are in a
unique position to provide essential services to older A worldwide need for health care professionals
adults and their support systems. skilled in serving older adults has been identified. Giv-
en the unique and varied needs typically encountered in
geriatric practice, it is evident that a comprehensive ap-
2. Purpose and format of this special issue proach to health care that employs an interdisciplinary
treatment team is best suited to serve this population.
The purpose of this special issue is to provide a re- Geriatric neuropsychologists play a significant role in
source to practicing clinicians that incorporates recent providing essential services to older adults and their
research and information from neuropsychology and support systems. We hope that you will find this special
related disciplines deemed essential for clinical prac- issue to be a valuable resource that provides practical
tice with older adults. Although this special issue is information to guide clinical practice and promote the
devoted to geriatric neuropsychology, it is recognized application of effective and evidenced based rehabili-
that older adults often present with complex needs that tation services to older adults.
requires the services of various health care related dis- Before concluding, we owe a debt of gratitude to a
ciplines. Accordingly, effort was made to provide prac- number of people who were instrumental in the creation
tical information that may be of benefit to many of of this special issue. First, we would like to express our
the disciplines that are called upon to provide services appreciation to the Editors-in-Chief of NeuroRehabili-
to this population. Similarly, because the health care tation, Drs. Nathan D. Zasler and Jeffrey S. Kreutzer,
needs of the aging population are an international con- who recognized the need for a special issue devoted to
cern, attempts were made to identify practice issues Geriatric Neuropsychology and who provided us with
and recommendations that are germane to clinicians the support and assistance we required to complete this
worldwide. project. Similarly, a sincere thank you is offered to
This special issue is comprised of seven articles that Melissa Oliver, the Managing Editor of NeuroReha-
together address a number of key clinical and profes- biltiation, for her hard work and commitment to this
sional issues related to the practice of geriatric neu- special issue.
ropsychology. In the first article, Weyer Jamora, Ruff, We very much would like to acknowledge and thank
and Conner review a number of the challenges faced our contributing authors. It is through their consid-
by front line clinicians, including medical and psychi- erable knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm that this
atric co-morbidities, assessment and normative issues, issue has come to pass, and we believe that the culmi-
polypharmacy, and reimbursement rates. In the second nation of their efforts has resulted in a “special issue”
article, Caplan and Shechter examine the complex issue indeed. Finally, we are grateful to all of our colleagues
of nonstandard assessment and test accommodations in the various health related professions who work with
for older adults. In the third article, Moberg and Rick passion and perseverance to identify and promote the
present issues surrounding the assessment of decision- application of scientifically based approaches to reha-
making capacity and competence in the elderly. The bilitation designed to alleviate disability and enhance
fourth article, by Uomoto, reviews rehabilitation prac- the quality of life of those persons who have incurred
tices following acquired brain injury. In the fifth arti- neurologic injury.
cle, Zec and Burkett present treatment considerations
and rehabilitation recommendations designed to alle-
viate disability and promote functioning following the References
onset of dementia secondary to Alzheimer’s disease.
[1] Committee on the Future Health Care Workforce for Old-
The sixth article, by Elliott and Pezent, reviews the er Americans, Institute of Medicine, Retooling for an Aging
unique concerns and issues frequently encountered by America: Building the Health Care Workforce, 2008.
T.A. Martin and S.S. Bush / Guest Editorial 379
[2] S.S. Bush and T.A. Martin, Ethical issues in geriatric neuropsy- Newsletter 83 (2007), 11–12.
chology, In S. Bush and T. Martin (Eds), Geriatric Neuropsy- [4] US Census Bureau, Census 2000, 2000a.
chology: Practice Essentials (2005), 507–536. [5] US Census Bureau, Populations projections program, Popula-
[3] United Nations, World population ageing 2007, Population tion Division, 2000b.

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NeuroRehabilitation 23 (2008) 377–379 377

1. Introduction functioning are but a small number of the conditions

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