Marlis Portner, worked in theatre and as an editor and translator, before becoming a psychotherapist. After the 'family years' she studied psychology and has worked for twenty years as a psychotherapist in her own practice. She has always had in her client caseload some people with special needs. She also works as a consultant and supervisor for several social services and is often invited by communities and homes to do workshops for the staff to introduce the concept of 'Trust and Understanding'. She has published a number of books, originally in German, that have been translated into several languages, and numerous articles for professional journals. She was married for more than twenty years, has a daughter and a son, both adult, and two grandsons.

Throughout the book colour and variety are added by the inclusion of telling vignettes which powerfully illustrate both the challenge and the beatuy of those relationships which are crafted by a willingness on the part of the careres to refrain from diagnosis, impulsive reactions and rule-bound responses.Professor Brian Thorne, PCEP 6.4: 295-297

• 1 Introduction2 Getting old is a strange experience 3 Seven principles concerning old people4 Essentials for everyday care5 Professional and personal skills6 Specific circumstances to be considered7 Different realities8 Perspectives9 Being old is different ... for people with mental disabilities

Marlis Portner, worked in theatre and as an editor and translator, before becoming a psychotherapist. After the 'family years' she studied psychology and has worked for twenty years as a psychotherapist in her own practice. She has always had in her client caseload some people with special needs. She also works as a consultant and supervisor for several social services and is often invited by communities and homes to do workshops for the staff to introduce the concept of 'Trust and Understanding'. She has published a number of books, originally in German, that have been translated into several languages, and numerous articles for professional journals. She was married for more than twenty years, has a daughter and a son, both adult, and two grandsons.

Throughout the book colour and variety are added by the inclusion of telling vignettes which powerfully illustrate both the challenge and the beatuy of those relationships which are crafted by a willingness on the part of the careres to refrain from diagnosis, impulsive reactions and rule-bound responses.Professor Brian Thorne, PCEP 6.4: 295-297

• 1 Introduction2 Getting old is a strange experience 3 Seven principles concerning old people4 Essentials for everyday care5 Professional and personal skills6 Specific circumstances to be considered7 Different realities8 Perspectives9 Being old is different ... for people with mental disabilities