Group counseling with nursing home residents

Training Counselors to Facilitate the Transitions of Aging Through Group Work

“…A group modality is efficient because one counselor can provide therapy for several at one time (Crose, 1990). Several authors have emphasized that older persons constitute a seriously underserviced population generally neglected by the counseling profession (Bledsoe & Lutz-Ponder, 1986;Myers, 1990a). Because so few counselors are trained to work with this increasingly large underserved population, efficiency is a significant reason for providing more group counseling as a treatment modality (Crose, 1990;Zgliczynski, 1982).…”

“…Groups are effective with older persons because they provide opportunities for restoring and maintaining meaningful social interaction (Bledsoe & Lutz-Ponder, 1986). Groups also provide increased opportunities for intimacy and friendship for older persons, who often suffer from isolation (Crose, 1990;Hawkins, 1983;Powell, 1988;Thomas, 1991;Zimpfer, 1987).…”

“…Groups also provide increased opportunities for intimacy and friendship for older persons, who often suffer from isolation (Crose, 1990;Hawkins, 1983;Powell, 1988;Thomas, 1991;Zimpfer, 1987). Benefits for older participants include experiencing support from sharing common losses, concerns, and experiences; creating a sense of community and belonging; developing new ways of coping; and discovering the importance of one's uniqueness (Bledsoe & Lutz-Ponder, 1986;Mardoyan & Weis, 1981;Shulman, 1985;Sullivan, Coffey, & Greenstein, 1987;Thomas & Hayden, 1990). Groups also assist elderly people in resolving ego integrity issues of previous life stages, finding order and affirmation in patterns and themes of life events, gaining increased control, and, most important, discovering central meanings in seemingly disconnected parts of life (Burnside, 1986;Malde, 1988;Moran & Gatz, 1987;Shulman, 1985;Thomas & Hayden, 1990;Waters, 1990c;Zimpfer, 1987).…”

“…Several authors list and discuss the four basic types of groups for elderly people initially described by Burnside (1986). These include reality orientation, remottvatton, psychotherapy, and reminiscing groups (Bledsoe & Lutz-Ponder, 1986;Capuzzi, Gross, & Friel, 1990;Myers et aI., 1991). The counselor's choice of a particular type of group depends not only on the needs and characteristics of the potential members but also on the counselor's educational and experiential limitations (Capuzzi et aI., 1990).…”

“…Reminiscing groups help older persons in independent environments, community settings. and long-term care facilities enhance their sense of belonging and renew their sense of continuity (Bledsoe & Lutz-Ponder, 1986;Burnside. 1986;Gerfo, 1980;Klinger-Vartabedian, 1982;Molinari & Reichlin.…”