OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT VIA GROUP-PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE NURSING-HOME

This paper illustrates the benefits of group therapy within the nursin g home, and considers the enhancing and problematic factors in conduct ing groups within this setting. Growth which empowers staff and reside nts is possible and can be achieved despite significant challenges and social change. A lifespan developmental perspective can assist reside nts to achieve their maximum developmental maturity and group therapy can be effective in accomplishing that goal. This paper discusses the effect of the nursing home environment and staff on the resident the t ask of the therapist in the nursing home, the value of group therapy, therapeutic goals in group therapy, what precipitates the need for gro up therapy in nursing homes, and the issue of group therapy with the c ognitively impaired.