Family therapy
Most informal carers are close family members, and the problems shown
by an older family member may reflect family pathology. Family therapy
remains primarily associated with helping children, but there are now a
number of established examples of its application to older people
(Brubaker, 1985). The adaptations required are relatively minor, although
they include all the general rules for involving older people in
psychological treatments (Box 17.1). There may be problems with
communication, for example deafness or poor vision, which can
compound the effects of ageing in reducing information processing
capacity. The overall effect is to make demanding tasks such as therapy
very difficult. Physical or mental illness can be used to scapegoat the
older person. Conversely, symptoms of physical illness can be accentuated
or become an important vehicle for the older person’s status and power
(West & Spinks, 1988) (Box 17.4).
Benbow & Marriott (1997) listed the following ideas as being useful in
family therapy with older adults: