[Considerations on psychotherapy and sociotherapy in the aged]

Psychotherapy of the elderly has assumed increasing importance in recent years. W. Schulte, G. BENEDETTI, BEREZIN and others have expressed the view that the indication and methodology of such therapy must take into consideration the limitations imposed by age-related factors such as rigidity, concentration difficulties and a tendency to negate the proximity of death. Insight into the finiteness of life, brought about by the approach of death, is seen by the author as a basic problem in any psychotherapy of the elderly. However, the therapist should beware of unwarranted optimism. The practical procedure occasionally resembles that of "symbolic realization". Sociotherapy, however useful it may be, also involves the danger of camouflaging the problems surrounding the end of life. sabove all, the author sees a need to improve geriatric institutions and criticizes the lack of human warmth frequently observed in the treatment of the inmates of old people's homes.