Abstract

COUTO, Maria Clara P. de Paula; PRATI, Laíssa Eschiletti; FALCAO, Deusivania Vieira da Silva  and  KOLLER, Sílvia Helena. Systemic family therapy and the elderly: contributions and challenges. Psicol. clin. [online]. 2008, vol.20, n.1, pp.135-152. ISSN 0103-5665.

This study aims to describe some systemic clinical interventions focused on the treatment of elderly individuals. Four different therapeutics modes are explored: individual therapy, couple's therapy, family therapy with elder family members, and accessing elder members to help in the family therapy process. Some prototype situations in therapy with elderly individuals are discussed, taking into account some concepts developed in family therapy. The elderly can be perceived by the family, or even by themselves, as a weight or as a resource. On the other hand, successful aging reflects a personal position that is influenced by family relations.

Keywords : elderly; family therapy; quality of life; resources; aging.

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