THE WELLNESS GROUP - A NOVEL INTERVENTION FOR COPING WITH DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR IN ELDERLY NURSING-HOME RESIDENTS

Elderly nursing home residents face the challenge of coping with the l oss of independence, reduced physical abilities, feelings of isolation , anxiety, depression, and helplessness. Maintaining one's integrity w ithin the nursing home is a challenge easily lost. Issues of coping wi th disability, change in body image, the promotion of self-empowerment , and autonomy are critical to preserving the personhood of a nursing home resident. Current emphasis on the management of behavior has focu sed entirely on the control of disruption rather than the promotion of resident strengths and abilities. We developed a group therapy progra m designed to enhance self-awareness, self-esteem, and body awareness among the demented elderly. Techniques of meditation, relaxation, sens ory awareness and guided imagery were introduced and reinforced. This group is easily reproducible and offers benefits to both residents and interdisciplinary staff.