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Geriatric depression is a disabling illness that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and deserves aggressive and early intervention. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy is an effective intervention for the treatment of geriatric depression and can be used with residents in an assisted living facility to manage and prevent depression. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy protocol modifications for residents in assisted-living facilities aids their participation and learning.

Inpatient groups are inherently different from outpatient groups and require modification in approach. Patients' needs, staff interests and expertise, and the needs of the health care system are major driving forces in the development of inpatient groups. A co-therapy model helps to achieve a balance between skills and abilities of the therapist.

1. This clinical report presents evaluations from 50 hospitalized dually diagnosed patients of the Addiction Education Group, a part of the inpatient dual diagnosis treatment program. 2. Patient satisfaction with the group was evaluated using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, an eight-item tool that measures reported satisfaction with services. 3. Generally, the patients were able to focus on issues of recovery as a group, provide and receive feedback from each other, and perceive the experience as beneficial.

1. A group of alcoholic patients who were treated with a physical fitness program as an adjunct to the usual program showed significantly less craving for alcohol than members in the standard treatment group. 2. The group treated with physical fitness as well as therapy saw themselves as having more internal locus of control and being less controlled by powerful others. 3. Nurses are the hospital professionals most likely to be involved with important roles in exercise programs with alcoholic patients.

1. Many people with mental illness experience low self-esteem. They tend to minimize their own positive attributes, strengths, and abilities, making it difficult to accept positive feedback. 2. As an alternative to the one-to-one relationship, the Self-Esteem Group provides a situation in which self-esteem can be increased through constructive social interactions, trust, and support from group members. 3. Structured exercises, which encourage sharing and development of positive aspects of self, were completed by group members during each session. These exercises made it easier for group members to focus ideas, feelings, and experiences related to the topic for discussion.

1. Depression affects an estimated 50% of the population over age 65. With the current expansion of the elderly in this country, the problem will continue to increase. 2. Depressed individuals view situations negatively when more positive interpretations are equally valid. The thrust of cognitive therapy is to replace the faulty and negative perceptions with more valid and positive ones. 3. Cognitive therapy was found to be effective in the elderly. Residents attended sessions regularly, and the change in the depression level for group participants was highly significant statistically and clinically noticeable.