Senior peer counseling
Senior peer counseling, a.k.a. Peer counseling for seniors, provides
Origin
The original idea of Senior Peer Counseling was developed in 1977 by Evelyn Freeman, Ph.D. (1917–2013). She first created a program called Senior Health and Peer Counseling of Santa Monica, California. In 1986 in collaboration with others, she produced "Peer Counseling for Seniors: A Trainer's Guide".[2] As a result, various groups utilized her trainer's guide and Senior Peer Counseling programs became available in many California counties as well as in South Carolina, Colorado, Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington. The program is also available in Europe, Canada, and Japan.[3] Sponsorship of the program in those locations comes from county health services, interfaith councils, senior citizen advocacy groups, and non-profit organizations. These Senior Peer Counseling programs vary widely in their methods, and no one program is alike. However, they all operate in the spirit of Evelyn Freeman's vision of Senior Peer Counseling. In addition, even though no two programs are exactly alike, there is an organization called the American Association of Senior Peer Counseling that tries to bring together all of the various Senior Peer Counseling agencies to share opportunities for networking and information.
Program design characteristics
In general, Senior Peer Counseling volunteers are trained to provide one-on-one, (counselor and client) confidential counseling to other persons 50 years of age or older.
Effectiveness
Seniors counseling can maybe be effective because the counselors often have had life experiences similar to their clients. In contrast, professional counselors may unintentionally create a power imbalance with older clients unfamiliar with formal counseling and many senior clients will not seek formal counseling due to cost or perceived stigma.[6] Senior peer counseling programs, therefore, may provide a more comfortable and supportive environment for the client.
In 2010–2011, Applied Survey Research (ASR) conducted a study of 43 senior peer counseling clients in San Mateo County, California. The study concluded that the clients had discussed personal issues in their lives more often with their senior peer counselors than with anyone else including family, friends, and neighbors. The study also found that 75% of the clients had reported the senior peer counseling had "helped a lot", especially with their concerns about food, health, loneliness, and sadness. Twenty-three percent reported it had "helped a little bit" and 3% reported it "had not helped at all".[7]
See also
- Peer Support
- Peer Mentoring
External links
References
- .
- ^ Mai-Duc, Christine (February 4, 2013). "Evelyn Freeman dies at 96; therapist was pioneer in aging issues". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "The Story of SPC". American Association of Senior Peer Counseling. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
- ^ a b c d Freeman, Evelyn (1995). Peer Counseling for Seniors:A Trainer's Guide. Santa Monica, CA: Senior Health and Peer Counseling.
- ^ Grady, S. (1990). "Senior Centers: An Environment for Counseling" (PDF). Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging. 14 (1): 15–18.
- ^ Bratter, B. (1990). "The Maturing of Peer Counseling". Generations. 14 (1): 49.
- ^ "The Peninsula Family Service Senior Peer Counseling Program: Results of the 2010-2011 Client Survey" (PDF). Applied Survey Research (ASR). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-08.