Working with older people: implications for schema theory.

Working with older people requires therapists to examine issues regarding information processing often not dealt with by therapists working with younger patients. It is suggested that these processing issues may be especially salient to therapists working with older people, owing to their greater reliance on their theoretical knowledge of memory (declarative, procedural, working etc.) and neuropsychology. The present paper draws on this more holistic background, and presents a theory designed to facilitate therapy in general: particularly schema focused therapy for both the young and old. Employing knowledge and models routinely used in an older people's setting, this paper redefines schemata in terms of networks of information and memories rather than viewing them solely as self-referent beliefs (e.g. I am worthless; I am inadequate). This change in perspective allows us to see schemata more validly as elaborate structures, composed of many elements, including behavioural, emotional and visceral features. A rationale in support of this holistic perspective is outlined, together with a review of its implications in terms of schema assessment and change techniques. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]