Memory Fails

• Disengaging the Adult by Rabbi Tsvi Kilstein, 6/30/98
  
  

I know what you mean. Uncommon Therapy is a good source of anecdotes about helping separate younger adults from home. But I don't recall reading about older adults. I have a vague sense of Erickson discussing some cases verbally, but all that I can bring to mind is the importance of getting the individual involved in activities that begin to satisfy their own previously overlooked (or avoided) desires, urges, and needs. Perhaps Dr. Zeig has a memory of the available sources on this too. Until then, most certainly consider the psychosocial development of the older adult in terms of helping kindle their interests within their developmental context. And, of course, that means their ability to find their needed internal experiences - (like joy, spirituality, forgiveness, determination, security, etc.) - as well as to use their external reality for need fulfillment - (dating, exercising, community contributions, casual socializing, relocating, home building, etc.). As one finds control over ones life fulfilling, those old symbiotic ties stop binding the older adult to the family of origin.

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