Group psychotherapy for patients with dementia

Some of the goals of our group psychotherapy sessions on the inpatient unit include (1) creation of an emotional climate of acceptance and warmth that helps patients learn to accept themselves and their feelings, (2) frequent intervention by the group facilitator/therapist to help facilitate social interaction for patients whose communication ability is impaired, (3) opportunity for patients to experience the feeling of belonging, of being part of a group, (4) opportunity for patients to ventilate feelings and rediscover mutual kinds of experience, (5) opportunity for patients to reminisce about past accomplishments and give new meaning to their current lives, and (6) creation of a platform for patients to achieve a sense of self by expressing personal opinions in an environment of respect and acceptance. The outcome of group therapy for demented as well as nondemented patients should be increased ability to cope with losses at several levels, promotion of new skills, increased adaptation skills, and increased ability to accept change. We also want patients to learn to express feelings and to realize that the expression of feelings can have a positive outcome (relief from repression, clarification of ambivalence, solutions, etc).