Systemic family therapy and the elderly: Contributions and challenges

Abstract

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.