ABSTRACT
A relatively new emphasis in family psychotherapy parallels that of geriatric medicine in its concern for maximizing the health and well being of older people. While "the" elderly are a relatively heterogenous group, covering an age span of 40 years or more, there are sufficient commonalities among the aged and their families to require specialized knowledge and treatment procedures by family therapists. Concerns that might bring the services of family practitioners into play are initiated by what could be termed "the issues of aging," including retirement, bereavement, ageism, mental or emotional illness, economic or money management, role transitions, sexual functions, addition, and others.
