Aging, Long-term Care, and Positive Psychology

Between 1900 and 2018, American life expectancy jumped from 47 to 78.8 years. Advances in genetic engineering, tissue engineering, stem cell therapies, nanotechnology, hormone therapies, and other fields are likely to foster a longevity revolution in which lifespans get much longer and people look and function younger at older ages. What can psychology in general and positive psychology teach us about how to live longer, healthier, and happier?

This introductory course consists of 4 audios with text transcripts focusing on what research on aging and research on centenarians can teach us about living longer, healthier, and happier and how therapists can apply this knowledge to their clients (and to themselves).

Because identifying and reporting elder abuse is an important clinical issue, the course also includes information on identifying and reporting elder abuse. Additional resources and references are provided for further study, but they are not part of the course.