Structured group interaction: An intervention strategy for the continued development of elderly populations

Structured group interaction, through an emphasis on pre-group structuring, didactic presentations, experiential learning, and evaluation, provides a flexible approach to achieving a variety of goals while compensating for many of the problem characteristics of an aged institutionalized population. Structured groups are characterized by adherence to a rigorous intervention planning methodology, with a high degree of pre-planned group structure, explicit behaviorally stated performance goals, and a concern for transferring group behavior to everyday settings. After a consideration of literature support and some of the limitations and hazards involved in the approach, it is concluded that structured groups represent a useful tool for the applied gerontologist.