Group psychotherapy with older adults

THIS article describes a psychodynamically oriented Psychotherapy group for older adults conducted in an agency setting, highlighting the problem; specific to such groups. The literature on such groups for older adults is reviewed. The issues discussed are the psychology of late life, diagnostic considerations, medical illness and dementia as complicating factors, the issue of caretaking, and the centrality of shame. A systems-oriented approach to understanding the group's success is suggested.