Talpin, Jean-Marc
Caregivers in the representations of geriatric professionals: Clinical and relational issues
- 2020.
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Based on material resulting from groups analyzing professional practice in the field of geriatrics (at home or in an institution), we will here identify the psychological and relational issues mobilized by the representations, phantasies, and drive movements of care staff vis-ŕ-vis family caregivers and the elderly. After a semantic reflection on the term aidant (caregiver), we will distinguish between the representations of the family caregiver (individual or group) as a partner of care for the elderly person, as a suffering subject, as a psychopathological subject, and as an antagonist. For each proposal, its psychic function for professionals will be studied. The professional stance requires being able to contain the paradoxes between these different representations, otherwise the paradox will be destructive or, at least, disruptive of the bond.