Foundations session 8A Blog Post

     I enjoyed the article from this lecture's material, Health Education Programming for Older Adults Based on Social Cognitive Theory.  I enjoyed this article because firstly, I love all gerontology knowledge I can get my hands on. Secondly,  I like how it explained the social cognitive model in action/application for a specific population and focused strongly on the "hows" of behavior change.

     This theory is a perfect match for supporting the idea that we as therapists should encourage our client's to accept adversity and to grow with their adversity all the while celebrating how it has strengthened them.  If a model is always looking at the "why's" instead of the "how's"..then where is the encouragement for clients to be motivated once they hit a wall?  By the social cognitive model having a heavy emphasis on self efficacy, the client's confidence in achieving daily activities by themselves will be noticeably boosted, even if a wall is hit.  When we empower client's and positively guide them through their adversities, we ultimately give them the gift of confidence and do not enable them to quit, give up, or view themselves as less, because they are not. 

     Client's often probably wonder if we pity them or feel badly for them and their current state.  The real truth is, WE should feel badly for ourselves, because we will never have the same view, appreciation, or love for life the way those that have experienced life changing adversity ever will.  Let's keep promoting self efficacy of all of our client's, I think this article is on to something!