Adams, Rae B.

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Clinical Sociology ReviewVolume 5 | Issue 1 Article 191-1-1987Working with the Elderly: Group Process andTechniques, 2nd ed.Rae B. AdamsAbilene Christian UniversityFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/csrThis Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@WayneState. It has been accepted for inclusion in Clinical SociologyReview by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@WayneState.Recommended CitationAdams, Rae B. (1987) "Working with the Elderly: Group Process and Techniques, 2nd ed.," Clinical Sociology Review: Vol. 5: Iss. 1,Article 19.Available at: http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/csr/vol5/iss1/19BOOK REVIEWS 195Working with the Elderly: Group Process and Techniques, 2nd ed., by IreneBurnside, Monterey, CA: Wadsworth Health Sciences Division, 1984, 700 pp.,$17.25 paper.Rae B. AdamsAbilene Christian UniversityThe second edition of Working with the Elderly: Group Process and Techniquesis written primarily for persons skilled in the techniques of group dynamics andfor group facilitators and leaders who work with the elderly, either in an insti-tutional or other structured group setting. Titles of the sections are: Overview;Theoretical Frameworks; Basics of Group Work; Practice of Group Work; Rem-iniscing Therapy; Multidiscipline Perspectives on Group Work with the Elderly;and Instruction for Group Workers and Epilogue. The second edition has beenexpanded over the first by 19 new chapters for a total of 38. Burnside (Departmentof Nursing at San Jose State University) has written approximately 40% of thebook's content with the remainder of the material by contributors from a varietyof disciplines.As with most texts on aging, the book begins with a profile of the contem-porary elderly population, with demographic studies to support the fact that theelderly as a group are increasing in number. The author then presents fourtheoretical frameworks which are recommended for group work with the elderly:Maurice Linden's Dual Leadership Approach; Life-Review Therapy, which isassociated with Robert Butler and Myrna Lewis; extrapolations of Irvin Yalom'spsychiatric theory related to the maintenance of groups; and William Schutz'sFundamental Interpersonal Orientation. Part Three is a collection of topics relatedto group work in general and presents a rationale for leaders or therapists toutilize the group setting when working with the elderly. In the author's words,Part Four is the "how to" section of the book, with most of the remainingsections addressing the application of theories and processes. There is, however,a concentration on reminiscing and life-review therapy, with the justification thatreminiscing therapy is so popular among therapists who work with older clients.The text is designed with learning aids such as learning objectives and keyworks which preface each chapter. At the end of chapters are several exerciseswhich can be used to reinforce and test the knowledge and skills presented inthe material. Also, each chapter is supplemented by a list of resources availableon the topics covered. These include films, audiovisuals, tapes and organizations.The large number of references cited, especially by Burnside, lend credibilityto the work as well as furnish excellent additional resource materials for thestudent.196 CLINICAL SOCIOLOGY REVIEW/1987The Theoretical Frameworks. Principles of Maurice Linden, a 1950spioneer in group work with the elderly, are presented. A study utilizing Linden'sprinciples and techniques was conducted by Burnside. With the exception of theuse of the term "senile," Linden's model was found to be as appropriate intoday's setting as it was when first introduced.Life-review therapy is explained in an article by Myrna Lewis and RobertButler. Life-review is a technique frequently used to improve reality orientationfor the elderly client. Whether it is more effective than other techniques isdebatable in many cases. That the elderly client is responsive may be due simplyto the fact that recalling the past is a pleasant experience. Long-range effec-tiveness may also be questioned. The technique's popularity and wide use maybe due to the ease with which it can be learned and applied.Yalom did not formulate his principles of group work with the elderlyspecifically in mind. However, Burnside believes that "students, health careworkers and administrators, and instructors can profitably adapt his ideas forgroup work with older people" (p. 61). The major problem with presentingYalom's theory and practice, especially in a book designed for "beginner groupleaders" (p. iii) is that Yalom's work is extremely technical and, as pointed outby Burnside, uses psychiatric jargon freely (p. 61). Unless the leader or therapistis familiar with Yalom's work and comfortable with the application of the tech-niques, he or she may have no effective measurement of change related to theuse of the therapy. For example, 12 general categories of "curative factors" arepresented, but application would be extremely difficult unless the group leaderwere familiar with Yalom's model.William Schutz's theory of fundamental interpersonal orientation is alsopresented. However, since Schutz's theory and techniques are not tied to medicaljargon they are more easily understood. Although the material is presented ina brief six pages, it would appear that the beginning group leader could easilygrasp the concepts and adequately resolve the theory-application dilemma.The Group. While the author states that it is not her intention to teach groupdynamics, when viewed collectively, Chapters 7-13 are filled with excellent"how-to" material in a group dynamics setting. The chapters are especiallybeneficial since the applications are specific to the elderly. Wise beginningleaders will incorporate the concepts discussed into their own styles to the extentthat they become adept in the facilitator's approach to groups. Bravo to Burnside,Baumler, Weaverdyck, and Szafranski, the chapters' authors, for a compilationof excellent, easily understood material. The material is "down-to-earth," leav-ing no doubt that the authors are writing from hard-earned experience.Other chapters which are practical and easily adaptable for beginning leadersnot having specific training in psychotherapeutic techniques and jargon are thosedealing with reality orientation and remotivation therapy. While the studentshould become more familiar with these frameworks or theories, the conceptsBOOK REVIEWS 197related to applications covered in the text could certainly be more easily masteredthan others that could have been selected by Burnside.Music and dance therapy are also discussed. Leaders who are not technicallytrained in either area are assured that, with limited skills or interest, they canbecome effective in their applications.Self-help groups are also addressed and recommended, but while the purposeof such groups are clearly identified, the "how-to" is somewhat weak. However,the references given at the end of the chapter are extensive so the inspired readercould be guided toward excellent sources for further study.The section on multidisciplinary perspectives on group work with the elderlyshould provide a sense of support for potential group leaders from among thefields of nursing, clinical sociology, social work, psychology, psychiatry, andcounselors from other general areas. Each discipline has a somewhat differentbut common focus in working with the aged. Even bibliotherapy, in whichliterature is used as a tool in the therapeutic process, is explored.The use of volunteers is addressed. While Burnside points out that the useof nonprofessionals as facilitators needs to be researched, their use is verynecessary and important in specific areas of psychosocial care (p. 262). Excellentsuggestions for selection and training are given.Reviewer's Notes. If there is a fault with the text it is its ultra-comprehensiveapproach to dealing with the elderly in groups. Yet, with the increasing demandbeing placed on all types of counselors and therapists to address the physicaland emotional needs of the elderly, it is doubtful that too much information andencouragement can be given. It would appear that this sentiment is shared byBurnside; the last section of the book, "Instruction for Group Workers andEpilogue," is one more, final effort to furnish yet a few more guidelines whichcould be useful. The material is worthwhile, even if somewhat repetitious.Although the organization of the massive amount of material presented in thebook is cumbersome, the content is well worth the effort on the part of thereader. Burnside's text is a valuable contribution to those who do group workwith the elderly.The Disabled State, by Deborah A. Stone, in the Health, Society and PolicySeries edited by Sheryl Ruzek and Irving K. Zola. Philadelphia: Temple Uni-versity Press. 1984, 241 pp., $24.95 cloth.5. Randi RandolphUnited Health Services, Binghamton, NYIn The Disabled State, Deborah A. Stone, a political scientist, offers a theoryof how the state uses medical certification to reconcile two seemingly incom-

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