Reminiscence and Life ReviewSally Haines Lawler

Public Services LibrarianSpecialization in Aging Certificate

1. Theoretical underpinnings of successful aging

― Psychological development (Erikson and Cohen)

― Reminiscence and Life Review (Butler)― Narrative Therapy Approach to Family

Therapy2. Overview of practical applications

― reminiscence― life review― guided autobiographical writing groups― memory books― Timeslips (personhood in dementia)

Expanding on Erikson’s view of the second half of life, “the Mature Age”,

Gene Cohen introduces the concept of developmental intelligence, a 'maturing synergy of cognition, emotional intelligence, judgment, social skills, life experience, and consciousness.‘

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Debunking the myths of aging

• The brain is continually resculpting itself in response to experiencing and learning

• New brain cells do form throughout life• The brain’s emotional circuitry matures and

becomes more balanced with age• The brain’s two hemispheres are equally used

by older adults

Cohen (2005).

A new view of aging

Expanding on Erik Erikson's developmental psychology, Gene Cohen postulates that there are four phases of psychological development in mature life (what Erikson called the Mature Age):

I. midlife re-evaluation, 'a time of exploration and transition and confronting mortality'; Mislabeled “midlife crisis”?

mid 30s-mid 60s II. liberation, a desire to experiment;

mid 50s-mid 70s III. summing-up phase of 'recapitulation, resolution, and review';

late 60s-80s. Perfect time in life for memoir writing, oral history, compiling photographs, genealogy, and life reviewIV 'encore’, the desire to go on.

Cohen (2005).Erikson (1950).

What is Memory?

What is Wisdom?Integration of left and right hemispheres

Robert Butler

Reminiscence is a healthy and natural form of aging (Butler, 1963).

Much attributed to old age is in fact a function of disease, social-economic adversity and even personality.  This resulted in a different vision of old age and set the stage for the later concepts of "successful aging." (Butler 1955-1966).

In Web of Science using the [Cited Reference Search], you can see the impact of Butler’s seminal work of 1963.

Reconstructing Life Stories from the Narrative Therapy Approach

Within Family Therapy • There is a narrative approach to mental

health that looks at people’s difficulties in life

– Not as disorders – Not as dysfunctions – Not with the therapist as diagnostician – Not with the therapist as expert with a

treatment plan• But as expressions of multiple identities

with options to restore cherished understandings and preferred identity claims.

• In Narrative Therapy nothing is settled and everything is open to renegotiation.

Angus & McLeod (2004).

Why have elders tell their life stories?

• Lives are multi-storied.• Some stories in our memories open more options for action, coping,

and strengthening than other stories.• Our stories become more narratively resourceful as we age,

especially with humor.• Storytelling is basic to the organization of experience, yet

storytelling in modern Western society is NOT a naturally occurring experience.

• It’s not commonplace to take the time to listen and tell one's story to oneself or to another.

• For most people in this youth culture life is doing, achieving, producing, and consuming.

Birren & Deutchman (1991).

a. Thematic-structured groups based on James E. Birren

Semi-structured life review

Used in small groups to provide social support and mental stimulation

Leader guides discussion on a selected life theme

Members reminisce together and privately to generate material for stories or essays

Writings are shared with the group the following week

Leader introduces another theme for discussion, reflection, and sharing

Birren & Deutchman. (1991).

Role of Group Leader

• Make each member feel secure in trust and confidentiality

• Get to know one another• Be equitable about the allocation of time• Stimulate recall and interaction• Encourage the elaboration of each person’s life story• Explore similarities and differences among each other• Share life strategies• Share other common interests such as travel,

genealogy, religion, even politics and obituaries!!

Birren & Deutchman. (1991)

Suggested themes (Birren & Deutchman, 1991)

• Grandparents (Lawler, Olson, & Chapleski. 1999)• Major branching points in your life • Your family• Your major life work or career• The role of money in your life• Your health and body image• Your sexual identity, sex role, and sexual experiences• Your experience with death or your ideas about death• Your loves and hates• The meaning of your life, and your aspirations and life

goals• The role of music, art and literature in your life• Your experiences with stress• Fictionalize a life story (Hunt, 2000).

Memory book recommendations for memory-impaired elders

• 20 pages long• Organized under “My Life”

and “My Family”• Enlarged text • One brief topic per page• 1-2 images per page Andrews-Salvia, Roy, & Cameron. (2003).

Outcomes of Memory Books

There is a body of literature for all levels of dementia, much from speech and language pathology, that supports positive conversational and cognitive outcomes for patients (and caregivers) with memory books.

Andrews-Salvia, Roy, & Cameron. (2003).

Free-form style of storytelling (non-linear)

 TimeSlips marks a fundamental shift away from focusing on memory and reminiscence, toward encouraging people with memory loss to exercise their imaginations and creativity. It provides the building blocks for effective, person-centered care.  The stories that emerge capture the hopes, dreams, regrets, fears, humor, and desires of people with memory loss, and help others better understand who they are.  

Basting. 2006. http://www.timeslips.org/