ERIC Number: ED248453
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1984-Apr
Pages: 13
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Treating Families of Demented Patients: Two Group Models.
Kramer, Joel
The prevalence of dementias in the elderly is steadily increasing. While caring for a dementing patient at home, families are subject to tremendous physical stresses and emotional reactions such as guilt, anger, grief, role confusion, depression, resentment, and loneliness. Two group treatment models addressing the mental health needs of caregivers are discussed in this paper. The Education/Support group is an ongoing, informal environment where problem solving, supportive interchange, and information sharing occur. Participants are able to express and normalize feelings, develop a peer support system, and learn more about dementias, community resources, legal alternatives, and caregiving techniques. The Family Therapy group is smaller, time-limited, and focuses more on helping members make personal adaptations to their role as caregiver. The group works toward a better understanding of feelings and coping styles with the objective of implementing some change in the caregiver's behavior, attitudes, or feelings. Recommendations are made for research and for additional caregiver support. (Author)
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A