The Aging Population in Australia

While depression is prevalent amongst the Australian population, it comes as no surprise that the older people are more likely to face inevitable issues that contribute to the decline of their mental health, such as personal losses, and physical illnesses.

It is said that between 10 and 15 percent of the aging population experiences depression, and approximately 10% experience anxiety. In the residential areas, the rates of depression are said to be even higher, at approximately 35%.

In a changing era where mental health is given the utmost importance in almost every aspect of our lives, much less attention is given to those who do not speak out about it. To them, there is a stigma that surrounds this topic, and most do not feel comfortable discussing the topic of their own mental health. However, the impact of these conditions ultimately transcends into their daily lives.

As a result of this, more families, whose members are less swayed by the stigma that surrounds it, are trying to persuade the older members of their family to receive the necessary help. Unfortunately, despite the increasing demand for the mental care of the older people, especially those over 65, there is an extreme shortage of caretakers, namely geropsychologists, in the country to impart their expertise and help nurture the minds of the elderly in crises.

What is Geropsychology?

Geropsychology utilises the knowledge and practices of psychology in order to properly comprehend and apply their skills on the elderly, as well as their families. This is done in order to sustain and develop the well-being of older people, assist them in overcoming issues they may have, and allow them to consistently and progressively attain the best of their potential as they age and proceed in their lives.

What are some of the areas I will have to tackle as a geropsychologist?

As the aging population grows in Australia, the need for care of the minds of the older generation is also increasing. Some of the areas that require attention in these cases, surround the aspects of aging, adult development, by biological and psychological means, social change, and sociocultural factors like gender and ethnicity.

There is also demand for the care of both behavioural and mental health of the aging population, covering the areas of medical illnesses, neuroscience and other functional changes. Geropsychology assessments cover the research and theory of numerous areas, such as the functionality of the mind of the aging population, the mood and what affects it, cognition, and decision-making functions.

To break it down further, the issues that are tackled consist of:

Mental disorders (most commonly depression and anxiety); dementia and forgetfulness; functional and decision-making abilities; living with chronic illnesses; insomnia and other behavioural health issues; grief, loss, family burdens; adjusting to marital/family aging; and end-of-life care.

What are the standard procedures of a geropsychologist in Australia?

One of the very first steps is the Assessment. In this stage, patients undergo clinical interviews, and behavioural and environmental observations, amongst other measures taken for further assessments, ultimately leading to the evaluation of the patient’s decision making and functional abilities, as well as a risk assessment of the patients’ mental state and tendencies thereof.

The next stage is the Intervention. At this stage, the geropsychologist gets more of an insight into the environment and the people that the elder patient is surrounded by. The stage includes individual, family and group psychotherapy, as well as the implementation of behavioral, cognitive, interpersonal and other types of evidence-based psychological interventions.

Finally, the geropsychologist goes through the Consultation stage. Here, the family, professionals, other service agencies and communities, legal systems, and other related parties are consulted so as to ensure the best outcome and practise for the patient in question. This stage also involves participation in interdisciplinary teams, as well as programme development and evaluation.

Why pursue Geropsychology in Australia?

The quality of education and the training that is opened to international students and medical graduates in Australia for psychology as a whole is recognised to be of a quality unmatched. However, while the demand and need for the service of geropsychology in Australia is high considering how the aging population is growing steadily, the older generations of Australians are not getting the care they require. In a survey conducted, it was concluded that out of a large group of psychologists in Australia, only 6% specialised in the field of geropsychology, and had the expertise to work with aging adults. Another shocking statistic is that out of this group, 40% of these psychologists had absolutely no contact or work experience with older adults at all.

When you look at the scope of pursuing psychology in Australia in general, the benefits are numerous. Regardless of what you choose to specialise in, there is an evident rise in the demand for psychologists for the people of all age groups, and therefore, graduates of this field have unlimited options for employment in the industry.

For this reason, the lack of supply of psychologists tending to the older population has resulted in a greater demand for them that is barely being met.

This increase in demand is therefore met by a substantially high weekly wage.

In Australia, an individual has numerous prospects apart from simply the applied practice of treating patients at clinics. Individuals can go into the research and teaching of geropsychology, considering the scarcity of resources despite the demand. Others can also go into science-services positions.

The Demand for International Medical Graduates in Australia

The demand for International Medical Graduates in Australia almost never dwindles – just as in all developed countries, Australia too has faced multiple shortages with their medical workforce. Due to the everchanging increase in the demands of the aging population, as well as the natural decline in the hours that medical practitioners now work, Australia has been openly welcoming, and relying on the international medical graduates to bridge the gap in the supply of their services. Medfuture as a leading medical and health recruitment company aims in providing and bridging the gap for IMGs (International Medical Graduates).

Why Should I Work in the Aged Care Field?

The Aging population is one of Australia’s most vulnerable groups, and to be working in an area where resources are so scarce, would mean that the impact that you would be making as a geropsychologist, is so much greater.

Allied Health Professionals in this field form lifelong bonds with not just their elderly patients, but also with their families, considering the part they play in creating an all-rounded better life for all of them.

As mentioned, multiple times, the ever growing demand for individuals in this space facilitates the onboarding of international medical graduates, as well as established psychologists to join the field. The Australian Government has assured “very strong future growth” of the industry, which would mean long-term job security for the employees.

You get to explore various skill sets, and encounter, and learn to adopt a range of new thought processes, perspectives, and clinical reasonings that in turn elevate your knowledge and experience in not just your field, but all related areas of expertise.

While some believe that the job satisfaction of geropsychologists is harder to determine than most occupations, due to the fact that there is a very small population of geropsychologists – only about 1.2% of psychologists consider themselves specialised in the sector of the elder population – majority of the working geropsychologists confirm that they have an extremely high level of job satisfaction.

The narrative of the world is slowly changing, and the progress that has been made over the negative stereotypes surrounding the elderly translates to an increase in the aging population looking to enhance the quality of their lives through geropsychotherapy, and other means. Consequently, it is said that this field has an above-average growth potential equal to, or greater than 5%, which is the standard for the majority of careers nationwide.

Email Medfuture, a reputed medical and healthcare recruitment agency, connects qualified and experienced healthcare professionals on a global scale. From International Medical Graduates who wish to pursue their careers in Geropsychotherapy, to psychologists looking to make a career change into the world of the aging population simply to make a difference, Medfuture is here to help. For more information on open vacancies in healthcare administration, visit the Medfuture job board.