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Compassion fatigue: considerations for working with the elderly
- Authors:
- LEON Ana M., ALTHOLZ Judith A.S., DZIEGIELEWSKI Sophia F.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 32(1), 1999, pp.43-62.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Compassion fatigue is characterised by physical and psychological exhaustion resulting from excessive professional demands that drain personal resources. Discusses the theory that social workers working with the elderly are more vulnerable to compassion fatigue due to the unique stresses that working with older people entails. Increased frustration over limited financial, social and medical services for the elderly, exposure to the developmental challenges inherent during the older years and the workers' countertransference issues are discussed as contributors to compassion fatigue. Also presents other factors that reinforce this type of burnout and makes recommendations for avoiding or decreasing compassion fatigue.