Family therapy with elderly people

Abstract

Those who work with older adults will inevitably find themselves working with families. Indeed assessment of an older person is often difficult if members of their family and social network are not involved. Referrals to social and psychiatric services are often precipitated by family changes. Ratna & Davis (1984) described 142 consecutive referrals to a community old age psychiatry service and found retirement, family conflict, departure of or illness of a carer, or bereavement precipitated 60% of referrals. Thus, work with older adults will often necessitate work with families, although it may not be seen in those terms.