67th Annual Conference

Friday, February 26

Early Morning Colloquies

Colloquy 7

Psychotherapy Groups for the More Cognitively Intact Long-Term Care Resident

Presenter:

Kenneth Martin Schwartz, M.D., FRCPC, Staff Psychiatrist, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario

Psychotherapy groups designed for more cognitively intact residents provide an opportunity to share feelings related to declining health, late-life issues and adjusting to institutional living. Implementation of an integrated psychotherapy model incorporating developmental, cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic approaches is described. Co-therapy, technical, counter-transference challenges and clinical material illustrating themes are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Describe the benefits of psychotherapy groups designed exclusively for more cognitively intact long-term care residents.

2. Identify the challenges associated with conducting these groups in long-term care settings.

3. Apply knowledge of the model permitting him/her to consider implementing similar groups in his/her facility.

Course References:

Schwartz, K. (2007). Remembering the forgotten: Psychotherapy groups for the nursing home resident. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 57(4), 497-514.

Maizler, J. S., Solomon, J. R., & Ronch, J. L. (1979). Group psychotherapy with nursing home residents: A survey. Health and Social Work, 4(1), 211-218.

Saiger, G. M. (2001). Group psychotherapy with older adults. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes, 64 (2),132-145.