Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Reminiscence Therapy?How It Helps MemoryOther BenefitsTypesIncorporating Reminiscence in Daily Life
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Reminiscence Therapy?
How It Helps Memory
Other Benefits
Types
Incorporating Reminiscence in Daily Life
Reminiscence refers to the act of recalling memories from the past. It is a familiar activity to everyone, but reminiscence can be highly beneficial for people withAlzheimer’s disease. It can support self-esteem and develop interpersonal skills.
This article explains what reminiscence therapy for Alzheimer’s disease is, its benefits, and types, and how to incorporate it into everyday life.
Reminiscence therapy was introduced in the late 1970s. It involves exchanging memories from the past to help people with dementia remember things. The treatment aims to stimulate the mind and improve general well-being.
Clinicians use reminiscence activity and therapy in clinical settings and residential care with people who havedementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers and professionals can then instruct friends and relatives on participating in this exercise with their loved ones.
How Reminiscence Helps Memory
While people with Alzheimer’s have difficulty with their more recentmemory, they may be able to recall things from their childhood. That may be because those older memories are well-rehearsed and practiced—meaning a person has thought about and retold those events many times over many decades.
A 2022 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that in older people with Alzheimer’s disease, reminiscence therapy had a positive effect on global cognition and helped relieve depression.
This therapy offers a sense of value, importance, belonging, power, and peace. It can also create a feeling of intimacy and give special meaning to relationships with caregivers. Research has named the following as benefits of reminiscence therapy:
Adverse OutcomesResearch has not found evidence of adverse outcomes with the use of reminiscence therapy. However, there is a risk that recallingmemoriescan sometimes be painful or difficult.
Adverse Outcomes
Research has not found evidence of adverse outcomes with the use of reminiscence therapy. However, there is a risk that recallingmemoriescan sometimes be painful or difficult.
Types of Reminiscent Therapy
Reminiscence can be used in individual, group, or family sessions. It is generally categorized into three main types:
Occasionally, participants may recall unpleasant and stressful information. Sometimes this can be either the cause or the result of behavioral and emotional issues. Nevertheless, dealing with them can provide a resolution—a coming to terms with life events and possible closure.
A variety of mediums that use different senses can assist the act of remembering. Using different senses means that people who have difficulty communicating verbally can have the opportunity to participate in reminiscence therapy in other ways. These include:
In acare facilityor a professional setting, the cooperation and inclusion of relatives and friends can enhance the reminiscence time for all parties. Family and friends may be able to offer context and provide missing details to some memories.
You don’t need to be a trained caregiver to participate in reminiscence therapy. The following are some ways that friends and family members can engage in this kind of therapy with their loved ones:
You can use this therapy throughout the day. Try asking questions during normal caregiving activities to make them more personal and pleasant. Some examples include:MealtimeBathingBedtimeWhen givingmedicationWhen going for a walk
You can use this therapy throughout the day. Try asking questions during normal caregiving activities to make them more personal and pleasant. Some examples include:
A Word From Verywell
When using reminiscence therapy, remember to respect the individual’s involvement and contributions. By all means, try to encourage participation, but if someone does not want to be involved in the activity, respect their right to refuse. Their refusal is valid and affirms their right to privacy, autonomy, and power over their situation.
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5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Woods B, O’Philbin L, Farrell EM, Spector AE, Orrell M.Reminiscence therapy for dementia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;3:CD001120. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001120.pub3Cammisuli DM, Cipriani G, Giusti EM, Castelnuovo G.Effects of reminiscence therapy on cognition, depression and quality of life in elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Clin Med. 2022;11(19):5752. doi:10.3390/jcm1119575Macleod F, Storey L, Rushe T, McLaughlin K.Towards an increased understanding of reminiscence therapy for people with dementia: A narrative analysis.Dementia. 2021;20(4):1375-1407. doi:10.1177/1471301220941275Pinquart M, Forstmeier S.Effects of reminiscence interventions on psychosocial outcomes: a meta-analysis.Aging Ment Health. 2012;16(5):541-558. doi:10.1080/13607863.2011.651434Klever S.Reminiscence therapy: finding meaning in memories.Nursing. 2013;43(4):36-37. doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000427988.23941.51
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Woods B, O’Philbin L, Farrell EM, Spector AE, Orrell M.Reminiscence therapy for dementia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;3:CD001120. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001120.pub3Cammisuli DM, Cipriani G, Giusti EM, Castelnuovo G.Effects of reminiscence therapy on cognition, depression and quality of life in elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Clin Med. 2022;11(19):5752. doi:10.3390/jcm1119575Macleod F, Storey L, Rushe T, McLaughlin K.Towards an increased understanding of reminiscence therapy for people with dementia: A narrative analysis.Dementia. 2021;20(4):1375-1407. doi:10.1177/1471301220941275Pinquart M, Forstmeier S.Effects of reminiscence interventions on psychosocial outcomes: a meta-analysis.Aging Ment Health. 2012;16(5):541-558. doi:10.1080/13607863.2011.651434Klever S.Reminiscence therapy: finding meaning in memories.Nursing. 2013;43(4):36-37. doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000427988.23941.51
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Woods B, O’Philbin L, Farrell EM, Spector AE, Orrell M.Reminiscence therapy for dementia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;3:CD001120. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001120.pub3Cammisuli DM, Cipriani G, Giusti EM, Castelnuovo G.Effects of reminiscence therapy on cognition, depression and quality of life in elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Clin Med. 2022;11(19):5752. doi:10.3390/jcm1119575Macleod F, Storey L, Rushe T, McLaughlin K.Towards an increased understanding of reminiscence therapy for people with dementia: A narrative analysis.Dementia. 2021;20(4):1375-1407. doi:10.1177/1471301220941275Pinquart M, Forstmeier S.Effects of reminiscence interventions on psychosocial outcomes: a meta-analysis.Aging Ment Health. 2012;16(5):541-558. doi:10.1080/13607863.2011.651434Klever S.Reminiscence therapy: finding meaning in memories.Nursing. 2013;43(4):36-37. doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000427988.23941.51
Woods B, O’Philbin L, Farrell EM, Spector AE, Orrell M.Reminiscence therapy for dementia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;3:CD001120. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001120.pub3
Cammisuli DM, Cipriani G, Giusti EM, Castelnuovo G.Effects of reminiscence therapy on cognition, depression and quality of life in elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Clin Med. 2022;11(19):5752. doi:10.3390/jcm1119575
Macleod F, Storey L, Rushe T, McLaughlin K.Towards an increased understanding of reminiscence therapy for people with dementia: A narrative analysis.Dementia. 2021;20(4):1375-1407. doi:10.1177/1471301220941275
Pinquart M, Forstmeier S.Effects of reminiscence interventions on psychosocial outcomes: a meta-analysis.Aging Ment Health. 2012;16(5):541-558. doi:10.1080/13607863.2011.651434
Klever S.Reminiscence therapy: finding meaning in memories.Nursing. 2013;43(4):36-37. doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000427988.23941.51
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