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Reminiscence
“[A] selective process in which memories are evoked and reconstructed…” (Dattilo, 2000)
+Reminiscence- Definition…
Excursion into one’s memory of the past Weiss, 1989
Act of relating personally significant past experiences Koffman, 2000
Activity in which the leader assists and guides a person to recall previous life experiences and facilitates the affirmation of the value of these experiencesCould be individual or groupCould be written or recorded
+Reminiscence-
Life experience recollection:
1. Simple/informative/story-telling Recollection of previous life experiences Remembered for pure pleasure of
experiencing occasions and to pass information on to others
2. Life review Focused on analyzing, evaluating and
coming to terms with unpleasant or unhappy previous life experiences
+Types of ReminiscenceIntegrative Reminiscence
Associated with successful aging Helps individuals achieve a sense of self-
worth, coherence, and reconciliation with regard to one’s past (sense of peace)
Transmissive Reminiscence Associated with successful aging Helping individuals to pass along one’s
cultural heritage and personal legacy to others (storytelling, moral instruction)
+Types of Reminiscence
Narrative ReminiscenceNeutral effect on successful aging
Opportunities for individuals to state autobiographical facts (place where grew up, # of siblings..)
+Types of Reminiscence
Instrumental ReminiscenceAssociated with successful agingHelps individuals obtain subjective
perceptions of competence and continuity through recollection of past plans, attainment of goals, and successful problem solving (accomplishments)
+Types of Reminiscence
Escapist ReminiscenceDetrimental to successful agingWhen individuals tend to glorify the
past and belittle the present
Obsessive ReminiscenceCan inhibit successful agingStatements of guilt, bitterness, and
despair regarding one’s past
+Overall Goal of Reminiscing..
To provide cathartic (therapeutic) opportunities for life review
Integrative (+)Instrumental (+)Transmissive (+)Narrative (neutral)Escapist (-)Obsessive (-)
+Anticipated Outcome
Enhanced self-worth
Reconciliation with the past
Life journey is seen as a full circle
Increased subjective feelings of competency
Increased continuity of the self through passing on stories, morals, beliefs, heritage, ways of living, etc
+Program Structure
Group of 10-12 people or smaller, such as 5-6 people or 1:1
Quiet environment; may be held in “special” environments to help facilitate memories
Sessions are organized around a specific topic (e.g., school days), a topical area (e.g., historical event, holidays, seasons), or developmental stage (e.g., childhood, adolescence, young adulthood)
Use props to aid in memory recall (consider using sensory stimulation theme kits)
+Session Format RT welcomes everyone and greets everyone
individually
RT introduces the topic and explains the purpose of the session
RT facilitates a conversation about the topic and utilizes therapeutic communication techniques to encourage discussion (e.g., paraphrasing, probing, validating, etc). Keep the conversation balanced among all group members and remind members of the clock time as appropriate
RT closes the group with a summary, thanks everyone for participating, and shares plans for the next session
+Session Stages (Life Review) NOTE: Can rouse strong emotional memories, both negative and positive – may need to refer to Psychology
TOPICS: giving yourself a hair cut, attending class reunions, Christmas morning, when the circus came to town, “if I had my life to live over again,” how families expressed emotions
SESSION STAGES Recollection of the event (as person recalls it) Evaluation of the event (changes as new info becomes
available) Synthesis of the event (memory is re-organized and
self-perceptions are revised)
+Example (Dattilo, 2000, )
Recollection: “I remember one Christmas during the Great Depression when all I wanted was a store-bought doll. Mama kept saying money was too dear but I was stubborn. On Christmas morning I got the doll. A week later, I left it in the barn by accident and one of the dogs chewed on it. Mama cried when she saw it and I couldn’t understand why – after all, it was my doll.”
Evaluation: “It wasn’t until after Mama died that I found a letter she had written to my aunt that Christmas. It seems Mama had given a whole, handmade quilt for that doll. I know now why she cried but she never said a word.”
Synthesis: “That was typical of Mama – she kept everything to herself. She could never say, “I love you” but she tried to show it by giving me that doll.”
+Reminiscence Groups
Conversation Starters to get your reminiscing started – remember to keep questions
Short and open‐ended:
What is your favorite holiday? What made it special? Did your family have
Any traditions?
What was it like in when you were in school?
What was your favorite job? Your first job?
What were birthdays like in your family?
What is one thing you would like your grandchildren to know about you?
Who taught you how to drive?
Have you ever had anything humorous happen on a date?
Describe the house you grew up in.
Tell us about your best childhood friend.
What do you remember about your grandparents?
What states, countries, and continents have you visited?
What is your earliest childhood memory about snow?
If you could re‐live a day of your life again, which would it be? Why?
What were your favorite foods as a child?
What did you do for fun when you were a teenager?
+Reminiscence Groups
Who taught you how to drive?
Have you ever had anything humorous happen on a date?
Describe the house you grew up in.
Tell us about your best childhood friend.
What do you remember about your grandparents?
What states, countries, and continents have you visited?
If you could re‐live a day of your life again, which would it be? Why?
What were your favorite foods as a child?
What did you do for fun when you were a teenager?
+Can use sensory stim kits
Seasons
Holidays
Seasons
Childhood
Adolescence
Music
Dance
Others
Example Kits Example Kits
Vacations Favorite games First playmate First pet School days Olympics Floods Engagements
+Memory Boxes
Memory Boxes can help to stimulate the mind, triggering good emotions and improve quality of life. It helps bring people together and encourages conversation, reminiscence and discussion.
+Benefits of Reminiscence
Decrease depression & confusion
Decrease boredom
Increase well-being
Enjoyable
Develop friendships
Engage in conversation
Maintain family contacts
Teach & inform
Identify & solve problems
Prepare for end of life
Increase socialization
Maintain cognitive functioning
+Reminiscence
Increase self esteem as review history of competence
Increase life satisfaction
Reaffirm sense of identity
Bring pleasure from sharing the past with others
Benefits More Benefits
Increase socialization/Decrease loneliness
Stimulate cognitive processes
Provide feelings of competence as person relates LT memories
+Benefits of Reminiscence.. Allow for expressing of feelings
Come to terms with old disappointments
Discover similarities with others
Increase self awareness about leisure