Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore how elders with senile dementia talk about the problems that they have and what process proceeds during their group talking.
Group interviews were conducted for seven elders wit h senile dementia in the early stages. The contexts, forms and techniques of their talk were analyzed qualitatively. The main topics were the forgetfulness, failures, and a sense of alienation and the loss of their roles in the family. They shared their problems and experiences, confirmed the common points in others' narratives, and they constructed the sense of community in the process of talking and sharing their experiences. They immediately and correctly read the contexts of others' talks. This seems to show that a local culture was formed based on the common experiences of the members. They had become able to judge things from various angles by the interaction with others who had different opinions and backgrounds. They also made objections to their families and caregivers and they exchanged their views on their own schemes for the problems. It is concluded that elders with senile dementia in the early stages tried to grapple with their problems in a positive manner.
