[Psychotherapeutic support for the elderly]

After recalling the need of explicit description of psychic disorders and the importance of the psychotherapeutic approach in the elderly subject, the author defines the function of support and the content of psychotherapeutic support. The authors consider the psychotherapeutic attitude of the clinician, which has an effect preceding that of psychotherapy using specific techniques. This attitude is not limited to support and empathy alone but brings into play complex interactive processes. The importance and the role of interactions between generations and the relationship of age in geriatric care leads to expanding psychotherapeutic support to the family circle as well as to volunteer and professional persons involved in care of the patient.