Addressing the Needs of Elderly Clients Whose Lives Have Been Compounded by Traumatic Histories

摘要

ABSTRACT. This paper presents a community-based group intervention for elderly women in Israel. The intervention, based on the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), addresses problems of aging clients whose lives have been compounded by traumatic histories. The unique contribution of MOHO concepts to this population is illustrated and discussed.The percentage of old people in Israel has doubled in the last half-century, reaching approximately 10% of the population (Ayalon & Covinsky, 2007; Litwin & Shiovitz-Ezra, 2006). Seventy-seven percent of these elderly emigrated from other countries of origin. Among them are holocaust survivors from Eastern Europe and others fleeing persecution in Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. Most came alone as children or young adults and the family members of many had been killed. All were ruptured from their physical and social environment, cultural values and beliefs, familiar roles and habits, and life plans and dreams. Their choices concerning everyday occupations, roles, where to live, and even who would be their partner, were often made under severe constraints and restrictions. Most were assimilated quite quickly into a new evolving society and tended to repress their traumatic past in order to survive. Nonetheless, as Israeli citizens, they experienced additional wars and other stressful events.