This article explores recent progress in theory, research and practical applications of reminiscence. It first describes the evidence for reminiscence as a naturally occurring process, and discusses the different functions of reminiscence and their relationships with mental health and lifespan processes. Three basic types of reminiscence that relate to mental health are specified: conversations...

Group reminiscence is an intervention recommended for care of older adults in structured and unstructured settings. One problem experienced by nurses is how to organize, facilitate, and evaluate reminiscence groups for older people. Hence, there is a need for further research on reminiscence to determine how to use this as an intervention to improve the well-being of older adults. There is also...

This exploratory study aimed to assess whether ubiquitous devices could be used to facilitate person-centred reminiscence therapy. In order to test this approach to delivering a reminiscence therapy intervention, a tablet application was designed (using participatory design) and tested by the carers of people with dementia. The study showed that there is the potential to utilise the recent adva...

Case studies of memory-impaired individuals consistently show that reminiscing with SenseCam images enhances event recall. This exploratory study examined whether a similar benefit would occur for the consolidation of memories in memory-unimpaired people. We tested delayed recall for atypical actions observed on a lengthy walk. Participants used SenseCam, a diary, or no external memory aid whil...

This study addresses the adaptive value of functions of reminiscence with respect to physical and mental health in later life. A model examining the relationships between the functions of reminiscence and life satisfaction, psychiatric distress, and health is presented and tested. Self-positive (reminiscence for Identity, Death Preparation, and Problem Solving) and self-negative (reminiscence f...

The objective of this systematic review is to provide healthcare professionals with information to assist in their decision to utilize reminiscence therapy for depression reduction in older adults outside of the primary care setting. Nine reviewed studies that were randomized controlled trials not only varied in person, outcome measurement, control, and exposure/intervention, the results of the...

OBJECTIVES Recently, a model of reminiscence and well-being has emerged in which reminiscence functions have been shown to predict both the mental and physical health of middle-aged and older adults. Yet this model has thus far been verified only with North American, Western European, and Australian participants. This study was undertaken to compare the latent structure of responses between Can...

Tornstam's theory of gerotranscendence provides the theoretical underpinning for two small reminiscence groups that met for eight weekly sessions in a Swedish daycentre. Tornstams's theoretical perspective provides a developmental model for understanding positive progressive changes in values, attitudes and behaviour in the second half of life. Practical guidelines derived from this theory info...

This article describes the therapeutic values of project “Remembering Yesterday, Caring in Dementia Care” for people living with dementia. Project was established European Reminiscence Network partners Union, which also operates USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia and India. The programme is based on use creative reminiscence interpersonal interaction work to “[…] rediscover celebrate one’s i...

This systematic review aims to review the potential psychosocial benefits of individual reminiscence therapy for people with dementia. Five randomized controlled trials were identified. All were carried out in nursing or care homes, and several different approaches were represented. The studies reported some immediate and longer-term psychosocial benefits to people with dementia of individual r...