Community intervention with the elderly: a social network approach.
A technique is described for using the advantages of a social systems approach when working with elderly persons in psychiatric distress. The technique is based on the assumption that the solution to a variety of human predicaments lies within the collective instrumental and affective resources of the client's social network. The vehicle for accomplishing this objective is the "Network Session" during which a mental health professional meets with the elderly person and members of his/her social network to help resolve the difficulty. A case report demonstrating use of the technique is included.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003376:Counseling; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans