Table Of Content“Cedar’s book humanizes the work with older adults beyond imagination.
It not only inspired and encouraged me to do creative work with every
living being, but I also found myself laughing and crying while reading
it, as if I was watching a movie or a theatre piece. The book is written with
enthusiasm and clarity: It describes the challenges and achievements of
doing creative group work with people suffering from dementia, old
age, and loneliness with utmost sincerity, enlightening depth, and a
passionate desire to touch the reader’s heart.”
—Professor Susana Pendzik, Ph.D., RDT, Tel Hai
Academic College, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
“In the field of dementia care we’re always looking for additional ways
to stimulate our groups. Once upon a time there was only music therapy
and exercises. This book is fascinating, an easy read but also scientific, well
versed in theoretical data and examples from life, while encouraging a
new generation to get on the wagon and join in doing psychodrama. It not
only adds a whole new field to our toolbox, but in line with the Melabev
philosophy, accents what they can do, not what is lost; relates to them with
dignity and uses the interaction within the group to build a safe, loving,
support system.”
—Leah Abramowitz, M.S.W., co-founder of Melabev, recipient
of the Jerusalem Prize and the Builders of Zion Prize
“This inspiring book authored by a true expert shows convincingly how
a group of older adults suffering cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease
and other dementias responded individually and in group settings to a
series of exercises clearly described in each part. It is amazing to find
out how seniors with various cognitive impairments responded to a wide
range of psychodrama techniques wonderfully explained in the book.”
—Soledad Ballesteros, Ph.D., emeritus professor of Basic Psychology,
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Madrid
Group Psychodrama for Dementia,
Old Age, and Loneliness
Group Psychodrama for Dementia, Old Age, and Loneliness offers a fresh
approach for professionals working with older individuals by employing
new and exciting custom methodologies in psychodrama, particularly
for clients with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
This book offers a general explanation of the use of psychodrama by
giving an overview of the therapeutic use of drama in all its forms, clearly
explaining the concepts and methods, and describing the rationale
of every intervention while also following a group over six years with
precious documentation of the group process. It addresses the main
concerns of those who suffer from dementia – adjusting to a new and
changing level of functioning, fostering a sense of belonging, preserving
their innate dignity, and redefining relationships and roles.
This practical guide will help therapists, social workers, family and
other caregivers, teachers, and medical professionals working with older
clients seeking comfort from the loneliness of old age and dementia
using group psychodrama.
Tzippi Cedar, M.A.E., is a psychodramatist who deals with loss, loneliness,
growth and self-efficacy. She teaches and works with therapists, social,
geriatric and medical staff, teachers, parents, singles, children, adolescents
and Holocaust survivors.
Group Psychodrama
for Dementia, Old Age,
and Loneliness
Trusting the Process
Tzippi Cedar
Designed cover image: by Shalom Lincoln Rosenberg
First published 2023
by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
and by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Tzippi Cedar
The right of Tzippi Cedar to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted
or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
ISBN: 978-1-032-34359-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-34358-7 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-32170-5 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003321705
Typeset in NewBaskerville
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
I would like to dedicate this book to:
my husband, Howie
our children:
Joseph and Vered Kellner Cedar
Dahlia and Naftali Jacobs
Noa and Ezra Cedar Press
Yoav and Einav Cedar
Yonatan and Meirav Cedar
Daniel and Tali Cedar
our grandchildren:
Amalia, Levy, Yemima,
Hodaya, Moria, Matan, Meirav, Itamar, Yinnon,
Gabriel, Tamara, Louise,
Shay, Maayan, Hallel, Omer,
Alon, Roeh, Michael, Lev Aryeh,
Petal, Shaked, Yeala, Arbel
The artist Shalom Lincoln Rosenberg who painted the jacket
of this book. The entire staff at the Melabev English Speaking
Center in Jerusalem and especially, the participants in our
psychodrama sessions.
Thanks to you all for enabling and Trusting My Process
Contents
About the Author xv
About the Cover xvi
Foreword xx
Preface xxi
Acknowledgments xxiii
PART I
Essential Background 1
Defining the Process 1
An Invitation to View a Session: The Forest 1
My Initiation 3
An Invitation to Meet Some of the Individuals 6
Therapeutic Goals of Group Work 10
What Is Psychodrama? Why Is It Good for
This Population? 12
PART II
Initiating the Process 15
Starting a New Group 15
Meeting the Group and Meeting Myself 15
Creating a Circle of Trust 16
Following Session: Developing Cohesion in the Group 18
Warm-ups 19
Concretizing: The Language of Scarves 20
A Descriptive Session: Sculpting an Ideal Leader 24
Opening With a Sentence 27
Empowering Subjects as Incentives to Connecting 28
Using Personal Experience to Encourage Participation 30
