Bereavement Groups with the Elderly

Abstract Grief and bereavement are issues that affect almost all of us at some time. The elderly are a group in particular that is strongly affected by bereavement. One out of every elderly couple will eventually lose his/her spouse. Based upon my work with the elderly in bereavement groups, a pattern ofwhat the group provides that is therapeutic to the individual has emerged. These curative factors are the instillation of hope, acceptance, a decrease in social isolation, finding of a new identity and meaning in life, support, catharsis, amelioration of fears, education, assistance in processing and dealing with painful or intense feelings, and an opportunity to help others. These factors and their manifestation in the elderly bereavement group are discussed.