Working with Geriatric Healthcare Teams: Opportunities for Neuropsychologists

Abstract

Neuropsychology is achieving higher levels of integration into geriatric care settings. Older adults, in turn, benefit from the team's deliberate use of an interprofessional approach to managing their often complex and chronic healthcare needs. Although there is recognition of the importance of training neuropsychologists to work in these specialized settings, there simultaneously exists few formal opportunities to learn about and practice team-specific skills, such as maintaining relationships and working as a collaborative team member. General guidance exists in several psychology-specific competency resources. However, neuropsychologists must also be familiar with the broader efforts outside of psychology to promote team-based competencies within geriatric settings. Awareness of both discipline- and geriatric-specific competencies fosters better integration of neuropsychology. This chapter describes the process and functions of neuropsychologists working on interprofessional teams in geriatric care settings and offers practical guidance on engaging in teamwork.