Although participants voiced different expectations about the group, they were all slightly unsure about what to expect of the group work series. Participants indicated that they were under the impression that they would speak about different things in the group, that they would be able to complain about certain aspects in their life and that there would be help provided where necessary; ‘… actually I thought it was going to be fun … and that I might gain something from it.’

Another participant said that she:

‘… did not expect that we would talk many things, but every person who … I must call it a complaint … because I also talked about the things that touch me deep inside.’

The participant expected the group work experience to enable her to open up and share personal feelings and thoughts.

During the beginning stages of group work members often worry about what will be expected of them (Toseland & Rivas 2009:187). It is normal for older group members to be anxious and unsure about what to expect of the group work series at the beginning of the group interaction and a group leader may need to repeat the goal during the course of the intervention (Corey & Corey 2006:405).

Although group work programmes were conducted at the institution previously and some of the participants were members of these groups, they did not recall significant aspects thereof. Ambivalent feelings are common and should not be seen as a hurdle to achieving the group's goal, as change can be difficult for individuals, and being in the company of individuals that one would normally not spend time with, could lead to feelings of uncertainty or reluctance (Toseland & Rivas 2009:207).

The duration of group sessions for groups with older people usually lasts 60–90 minutes (Corey & Corey 2006:404; Masson et al. 2012:487). In the case of this group, meetings took place once per week. Any meeting shorter than one hour does not allow adequate time to carefully discuss matters that were raised and does not enhance productive activity and performance (Zastrow 2012:13). Participants varied in their responses, with two participants indicating that the duration of the sessions suited them perfectly; one participant indicated that she would have made the sessions longer and another participant indicated that she would have preferred if the sessions were a little shorter.

The specific group consisted of 7 members. Participants varied in their experience of the size of the group. Responses included that the group size was acceptable; that the group could have been bigger; the group could have been smaller; and that the group membership should have been more selective. The size of a group directly influences members’ satisfactions and interactions (Zastrow 2012:12). It is important to keep in mind that the group should be small enough to enable it to achieve its purpose, but also large enough to allow members to have a sustaining experience. The most common number of people in a group appears to be 5–10 for a group highlighting close relationships (Masson et al. 2012:487; Toseland & Rivas 2009:167). If a group for older persons focuses more on support and sharing, 4–6 members usually works the best, which relates well to the number of members in this specific group.

Three of the participants referred to the snacks, which the group worker used as incentives and rewards to encourage members and reward them for their cooperation and involvement in the group work series; ‘yes … the chocolate cake was delicious …’ and ‘you gave us biscuits and more’.

Interestingly enough, Hepworth et al. (2010:369) assert that very often creating immediate incentives and tangible rewards, in this case chocolate cake and biscuits, enhance clients’ motivations to complete tasks. The cohesion of a group, which is the strength of the bonds that link members to one another, can be accounted for by incentives that are occasionally provided for group membership (Forsyth 2006:14; Toseland & Rivas 2009:75).

All participants indicated that they experienced the group leader as being prepared for every session; ‘… you have the knowledge, can I put it like that, we have the experience’.

This is an indication of the value of the group experience where the contribution of both the leader and the members result in growth. Group work can be either a success or failure depending on the groundwork that takes place before the group meetings (Drumm 2006:23; Hepworth et al. 2010:273; Zastrow 2012:94). Masson et al. (2012:488) strongly emphasise the need for group leaders of groups for older people to have knowledge of issues accompanying the life phase.

All participants indicated that the group leader treated group members well: ‘… because … each individual was treated as if he is … an absolute person’.

A good leader involves the group, listens to a variety of options and allows members the opportunity to express their feelings and opinions (Becker 2005:44; Zastrow 2012:206). Through performing a caring function, the leader establishes a norm of support, warmth, acceptance and genuineness. Group leaders’ behaviours, such as confrontation or criticising, and aspects such as lack of support, play a key role in group dropouts (Becker 2005:46; Smokowski, Rose & Bacallao 2001 in Hepworth et al. 2010:497). It is important for a group leader to pay attention to all members, but also to see each member as a unique individual.

Participants indicated that they felt ‘… absolutely safe’.

Group members will not share their thoughts and feelings if they do not perceive the group to be a safe place. It is essential that the group worker facilitates the development of a culture in which group members feel that their experiences and values are of value and they are not alone (Doel 2006:68; Hepworth et al. 2010:504; Masson et al. 2012:387; Toseland & Rivas 2009:111). When members feel secure in the group, they are more likely to share personal aspects of their lives with each other.

A group provides members with a place where they can freely express emotions, feelings and thoughts (Doel 2006:67). When people feel that they are not alone in their problems, they are more likely to open up and talk about their personal difficulties and worries: ‘… different people with different problems … it was good for me to know other people also have problems …’

Forsyth (2006:14) defines group cohesion as the bonds that link individuals to the group, feelings of attraction for specific group members and the group itself and the degree to which the group members coordinate efforts to achieve goals. Group cohesion ultimately determines the group's unity (Forsyth 2006:30; Hepworth et al. 2010:499). A cohesive group satisfies members’ need for affiliation, as some members have unsatisfactory relationships outside of the group.

All participants indicated some sense of positive experience about their fellow group members: ‘every person … I spoke to them, and they spoke to me, chat you know, …’ and ‘I actually found it very interesting’.

The nature and value of interpersonal relationships in the group have significant influence on the meaning and value to the members of the group (Zastrow 2012:21). Members interacted with one another in every session and a healthy exchange of information and suggestions took place.

When asked if they could remember what the ultimate goal of the group was, participants indicated that they believed the goal was to focus on relationships, and to speak about the things that bothered them; ‘… it was therapy for our … relationships with our families and children …’

Defining goals clearly helps both workers and members focus on what they are attempting to achieve in the group (Toseland & Rivas 2012:215; Zastrow 2012:110). The purpose of the group validates its existence and the leader and the members should jointly decide on the goal (Becker 2005:34). Campbell (2004:276) mentions that the purpose of the group for older persons will largely depend on how the group defines it. Each of the participants had their own interpretation of the group goal, but as the group series progressed, the group shared a common goal and purpose, focusing primarily on relationships, forgiveness and talking about things that bother them.

Participants believed that the goal of the group was met, and some participants linked their responses to their need to have belonged to such a group and what they had gained from the group in general:

‘I needed it for my therapy … my emotional condition, I think I suffered from depression a little bit, maybe shyness and self-esteem maybe, and improved my relationships and communication.’

An effective group is one that has significant success in achieving its goals; the success and efficacy of the group and its procedures can be measured by the extent to which goals are achieved (Zastrow 2012:110–111).

Participants indicated that they were satisfied with all eight individual sessions conducted during the group work series. By simply describing events, airing feelings and reflecting on efforts to cope, it encouraged self-understanding and aided members to overcome loneliness, isolation and hopelessness (Toseland & Rivas 2009:23). Although none of the participants identified the same session as being the most valuable, each participant referred to a session that they felt made a lasting impression on them. One participant distinctly remembered the session on forgiveness and relationships:

‘I think the day I opened my internet … because I probably never would have done it. I don't know, but I don't think I would have been able to do it for long as I live.’

She added: 'the session on forgiveness made me feel very guilty … that was the most valuable for me, absolutely’.

Santrock (2006:616) refers to lowered self-esteem in this phase because of losses and diminishing health. One participant said:

‘… the one about your self-image … because I always think people criticise me … and I always worry about what other people think about me … and so I felt good about my good qualities, you know.’

Sessions provided members with an opportunity to develop new insights, change destructive thought patterns and learn new ways of thinking about challenges that they face. Sessions were planned with the goal of the group as well as individual member's goals in mind, emphasising that a well-formulated goal can provide structure for planning the content of group work.

According to Campbell (2004:277) ‘the purpose of being in a group is to make some change that will enhance one's life, reinforce one's ability to cope, and build on existing strengths’. Groups are viewed as especially influential agents of change for the elderly, uniquely suited to the challenges of the ageing process, such as handling loss, shrinking support networks and societal change (Campbell 2004:276). A growth group, which is the type of group that the participants were involved in, offer opportunities for members to become conscious of, grow, and change their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, especially regarding their self-esteem and in relationships with others. Growth groups provide an atmosphere in which group members are able to gain new understandings, experiment with new behaviours, receive feedback and develop as human beings (Toseland & Rivas 2009:25). Each of the sessions identified made a lasting impact on participants individually, and enabled a change in thoughts and behaviour patterns.

Participants indicated that it was beneficial for them to learn that they were not the only ones dealing with certain problems and that others deal with similar problems. As group members share private concerns, thoughts and feelings, they are comforted that others in the group have comparable concerns (Corey & Corey 2006:247). One participant indicated that she spoke about certain problems in her life for the first time during the group work sessions and that she probably would never have spoken about them, had she not been a member of the group: ‘different people have different problems … it was good for me to know other people also have problems’.

Another participant mentioned:

‘… like I'm telling you it was the first time that I could honestly talk about everything that I walk around with and joke and tease about … things that I keep for myself’.

An advantage of group treatment is that members can be helpful to each other, as they provide opportunities for socialisation, validation and normalisation of problems and concerns (Gitterman 2004:99; Toseland & Rivas 2012:16). This lets members feel less remote and stigmatised and they are more likely to listen to one another's views and suggestions. Rizzo and Toseland (2008:14) mention that one of the advantages for older persons who participate in a group is the consensual validation and affirmation of one's experiences.