Development of a Gerontology Counseling Competency Model for Counselors: A Design and Development Research

This paper aims to propose the development of a gerontology counseling competency model that empowers counselors to effectively engage with elderly clients. This model plays a crucial role in cultivating a holistic environment that is essential for the well-being and realization of the social rights of older adults, in accordance with the Malaysian National Policy for Older Persons 2011. To achieve this goal, a three-phase Design and Development Research (DDR) approach will be employed, employing diverse research methods and instruments. Involvement of expert and user groups is essential to ensuring the model's suitability in the Malaysian context. The proposed gerontology counseling competency model holds significant potential for enhancing counseling services' quality for elderly clients and strengthening the counseling profession in Malaysia. Its development corresponds with the values inherent in Islamic teachings, further underscoring its importance in promoting the well-being of the elderly population.