Few institutions for the elderly have counselors of any kind and the question was raised to whom the elderly could seek advice or counsel. A study of the literature confirmed that even though the number of elderly persons was increasing, few counselors, psychologists, or psychiatrists had persons over 65 as clients.

The problems of elderly persons cover a wide range of concerns, (physical, psychological, social) and it is obvious that a holistic approach to assist this population is necessary. Existential psychology, one of the holistic psychological theories, begins with the existing experience of the individual and proceeds to consider anything within the experience which might cause anxiety or conflict.

The problems of the elderly and the concepts of existential psychology reveal a complementarity. The problems facing aging individuals were the very conflicts faced by existential counselors, e.g. fear of death, of loneliness, of freedom and responsibility, of meaninglessness in life. A systematic analysis of the complementarity between the concerns of the aged and those of existential psychology provided the foundation on which to articulate existential psychology as an ontological groundwork for counseling elderly clients.

Of the few gerontological counselors, there are many who employ methods and techniques designed for younger populations, often trying to isolate problems from the client's total experience. Existential psychology considers this compartmentalization to be unrealistic for each individual exists as a whole, and is affected by the whole of one's existence. To “treat" one part of an individual's existence without regard for the whole would be unprofitable and might cause further problems. An ontological groundwork for counseling is suggested from the existential psychological point of view, and recommendations are made for carrying out such a counseling regimen. Research suggestions are delineated for future studies.