61st Annual Conference

Presenter:        

Helen Balis, LCSW, Geriatric Team Leader, Mental Health Center of Boulder

County, Inc., Boulder, Colorado

As the "Age Wave" approaches with significant growth to the senior population,

Senior Peer Counseling Programs of volunteers will be essential in addressing the

counseling needs of the 60+ generation. The Senior Peer Counseling Program of

Boulder, Colorado, created in 1987, has grown to be a community of trained

volunteers who help their older adult peers deal with issues of aging and loss. By

helping others, senior peer counselors also help themselves as they continue to

learn and to be a valuable resource to the community.

References:

1. Schachter-Shalorni, Z. & Miller, R. From age-ing to sage-ing: A profound new vision of growing. New York: Warner Books.
2. Vaillant, G. Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development . Boston and New York: Little, Brown and Company.
3. Luke, H. Old age. New York: Parabola Books.