Counselors working with elderly people: psychological and pedagogical aspects of conflict prevention

In Russia social work with elderly people is one of the priority areas of social policy. The article presents the authors’ concept of psychological and pedagogical prevention of conflicts. It was developed on the basis of the experience of counselors working with elderly people in a sanatorium. When organising communication and interpersonal interaction with elderly people in the sanatorium, potential conflict situations were identified and their causes were determined. The study diagnosed changes in perceptions and attitudes towards the elderly age during one shift in a sanatorium. Specific psychological and pedagogical recommendations on conflict prevention were formulated, following which ensures the social well-being of elderly citizens in our modern society. The system of psychological and pedagogical techniques and methods for preventing conflicts was proposed by the authors, it is a new content in the research of pedagogical training of counselors.