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Systemic Therapy and Aged Respite Care A Neglected Area
Author(s) -
Vassallo Tony
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.297
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1467-8438
pISSN - 0814-723X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1467-8438.1995.tb01033.x
Subject(s) - respite care , reflexivity , context (archaeology) , psychology , project commissioning , psychotherapist , publishing , nursing , medicine , sociology , political science , social science , history , law , archaeology
This paper discusses how placing an elderly individual in nursing home respite care can lead to the emergence of major marital issues for an elderly couple. It illustrates how one can intervene systemically to change the context of this event, so that it is freeing for the individuals concerned rather than punishing. The discussion focusses on the main developmental issues for the aged and how these need to be considered for therapy and there is a review of research on the effects of out of home placement on individuals and their carers. The main techniques discussed are the use of letter writing and reflexive questioning to provide avenues for alternate explorations for the individuals concerned. These techniques were used to help a husband and wife escape repeated serious escalations that became depleting and damaging to them personally and to their relationship. There is brief comment also on the lack of attention given to psychotherapy for the elderly, with some suggestions for change.