| Abstract: | The use of peer counselors with various populations has had a major impact on many areas of mental health service provision, including services to the elderly. Training older persons to serve as peer counselors requires specific attention to characteristics of older adult learners. This paper offers practical suggestions for the design and implementation of peer counseling programs for older adults. These suggestions include both general principles to serve as a guide in developing a program, such as selection of trainees, setting training goals, and providing follow‐up training and supervision, and specific recommendations on conducting effective training, including group size, number and length of sessions, educational format, and leadership qualities. |
