Moderate declines in prospective memory (PM) are common among older adults, but whether such decrements are associated with everyday functioning problems is not well established. To examine this issue, we administered the Memory for Intentions Screening Test (MIST), Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), and Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADLQ) to 50 healthy older Australian adults as part of a broader neuropsychological battery. In a series of hierarchical regressions controlling for demographics, medical/psychiatric factors, and other neurocognitive functions, the MIST event-based PM score and PRMQ PM scale were significantly associated with the total number of instrumental ADL (IADL) domains in which participants reported needing assistance. Extending prior findings in clinical populations, results indicate that lower PM functioning is uniquely associated with mild, concurrent IADL problems in healthy older adults. Future investigation of the potentially moderating effects of cognitive and behavioral compensatory strategies may be beneficial. (JINS, 2012, 18, 134–138)

Background: In response to the global challenges of population aging in Portugal, it is crucial to improve research, education and clinical training in old age in order to meet the growing demands placed on psychogeriatric care services.

Methods: An overview is provided on the status of old age psychology and psychiatry as part of the multidisciplinary care delivery system for the elderly in Portugal. Available educational offerings and clinical training in geriatric mental health at both undergraduate and postgraduate level are described, as well as primary research associations and initiatives within Portugal.

Results: Important issues raised include the need for more educational and clinical training programs for specialists, a broader commitment to aging research and the need to increase interest in working with older adults among students across disciplines. The recent movement towards multidisciplinary work conducted by researchers, psychiatrists, psychologist and other health professionals in Portugal points to the urgent need for specialist education for all health professionals working in geriatrics. This educational initiative must focus not only on the transmission of knowledge on aging-related topics, but also on the training of specific skills and competencies. Improving geriatric mental health service delivery and connecting research with clinical practice constitute other significant steps forward.

Conclusions: An effective intervention in psychogeriatrics should involve a strategy with the participation of a multidimensional network that includes the commitment of researchers, educators, clinicians, health policy-makers and older adults. Several recommendations to improve late life mental health care are presented.

Background: There is a worldwide shortage of mental health professionals trained in the provision of mental health services to older adults. This shortage in many countries is most acutely felt in the discipline of psychology. Examining training programs in clinical psychology with respect to training content may shed light on ways to increase interest among students and improve practical experiences in working with older adults.

Methods: A large multinational survey of geropsychology content in university-based clinical and counselling psychology training programs was conducted in 2007 in the U.S.A., Australia, and Canada. Both clinical/counseling programs and internship/practicum placements were surveyed as to staffing, didactic content and training opportunities with respect to geropsychology.

Results: Survey response rates varied from 15% in the U.S.A. (n = 46), 70% in Australia (n = 25) to 91.5% in Canada (n = 22). The U.S.A. and Australia reported specialist concentrations in geropsychology within graduate clinical psychology training programs. More assessment and psychopathology courses in the three countries were cited as having ageing content than psychotherapy courses. Many non-specialist programs in all three countries offered course work in geropsychology, and many had staff who specialized in working clinically with an older population. Interest in expanding aging courses and placements was cited by several training sites. Recruiting staff and finding appropriate placement opportunities with older adult populations were cited as barriers to expanding geropsychology offerings.

Conclusions: In light of our results, we conclude with a discussion of innovative means of engaging students with ageing content/populations, and suggestions for overcoming staffing and placement shortcomings.