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SOCIAL REHABILITATION OF THE AGED: SOME NEGLECTED ASPECTS *
Author(s) -
Lawton M. Powell
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1968.tb02778.x
Subject(s) - rehabilitation , viewpoints , dignity , institution , set (abstract data type) , medicine , residence , space (punctuation) , gerontology , social psychology , psychology , physical therapy , law , social science , sociology , linguistics , philosophy , demography , political science , computer science , visual arts , programming language , art
A bstract The first section of this article on some neglected aspects of social rehabilitation of the aged concerns the philosophy of rehabilitation. A general principle is that the probability of improvement is highest when the goal for the old person is set successively at only the next step higher than the current level of functioning. The personnel of the institution should be kept aware of the success of their efforts in attaining these realistic goals. The ensuing sections of the article contain recommendations for certain fresh approaches to various problems regarding application of the old person to a home for the aged, the waiting period, and the crucial entry period. Since change of residence constitutes an acute stress for many old people, appropriate psychological and social attention is very important and may set the course for the success of rehabilitation. Private space, social space and furnishings in the institution are discussed. The importance of the staff is dealt with from the viewpoints of the social role, the helping role, and the personal distance between employee and resident. The goal of rehabilitation in the institution extends even to death in an attempt to add dignity and self‐respect in the final phase of life.