This title aims to improve coping skills of older adults. It builds on traditional interpersonal psychotherapy, an evidence-based treatment that has been found useful in treating depressed elders. Cognitive impairment, a common occurrence in the older population due to disease or age-related causes of changes in brain function, calls for additional strategies to optimize functioning. IPT seeks to help older patients and their caregivers manage the effects of cognitive impairment, particularly in the early phase when behavior changes are often misunderstood, as well as to plan for potential future declines in cognitive functioning.
SECTION I: Rationale and Background for IPT Introduction 1: Overview of Basic Principles of Interpersonal Psychotherapy 2: Rationale and Background for IPT 3: A Concise Review of Gerontology/Geriatric Medicine 4: Overview of Late Life Depression 5: The Cognitive Impairment Spectrum: MCI to Dementia 6: Manifestations of Executive Dysfunction SECTION II: Principles of IPT for Cognitive Impairment 7: IPT Basics 8: Incorporating Family/Caregivers into the Treatment Process from the First Meeting 9: Specific Foci in IPT: Grief, Role, Transition, Role Dispute, Interpersonal Deficits 10: The Caregiver's Own Role Transition 11: Flexible Individual or Joint Sessions 12: Reaching Steady State and Long Term Planning Postscript Future Directions for IPT
