Psychologist in Long-Term Care Facilities: Roles, Specifics, and Challenges for Practice
Authors:
Jana Čížková; Iva Holmerová
Authors‘ workplace:
Centrum pro studium dlouhověkosti a dlouhodobé péče, Fakulta humanitních studií, Univerzita Karlova
Published in:
Geriatrie a Gerontologie 2025, 14, č. 2: 53-59
Category:
Review Article
doi:
https://doi.org/10.61568/geri/50-6499/20250512/140515
Overview
A psychologist in long-term care facilities plays a key role in supporting older adults, collaborating with staff, communicating with families, and raising public awareness. Their work includes individual and group interventions, adapted to the health status of residents, sensory deficits, and specific communication needs. An important aspect is also providing support in end-of-life discussions and life review.
Another crucial function of the psychologist is integration into the multidisciplinary team, where they provide a psychological perspective on residents’ situations, facilitate communication between care departments, and act as mediators. Additionally, they fulfill an advocacy role, protecting residents’ rights and promoting dignity and autonomy.
Despite the significant benefits of this role, psychologists are not systematically represented in Czech long-term care facilities. This article emphasizes the need for systemic change, the development of professional standards, and the greater integration of psychological care into long-term care settings. A key aspect of this process is the education of psychologists and the promotion of research focused on the mental health of older adults.
Keywords:
psychologist – role – specifics – long-term care facilities – multidisciplinarity
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