[Balint groups in psychotherapy of elderly patients]

Care of the elderly is typified by the relationship: elderly client/patient--younger helper/therapist. In Balint groups, relationships in interpersonal interactions are examined. This leads to a "patient-oriente" view and enables the participants to formulate a "comprehensive diagnosis". Multi-professional "gerontological"-Balint groups reduce reciprocal prejudices and value-judgements and promote cooperation between professional groups, further the understanding of the elderly in need of care, as well as the formulation of a patient-oriented "comprehensive treatment plan". By including creative productions in the Balint-group process, unconscious determinants of disturbed interpersonal relationships can be made "visible".