Life review of an older adult with memory difficulties

Abstract

The natural life review process involves emotional processing of events from the individual's past. Life review therapy (LRT) addresses issues regarding unresolved conflicts, guilt and resentment which the client has particular difficulty in reviewing independently. People with memory problems may have difficulty mentally manipulating a number of pieces of information at the same time. Since LRT involves recollection of past experiences (events, emotions and relationships) which need to be processed and integrated with the person's current understanding, individuals with memory problems may find this process difficult, though not impossible. This article is written in order to demonstrate that LRT can be useful for people with memory difficulties, provided that individual sessions are tailored to their particular cognitive abilities. A case is presented of an older adult, with above-average intellectual abilities, who became distressed when recollecting her childhood. LRT was conducted in a manner that took account of the memory difficulties and utilized a variety of therapeutic techniques. LRT was beneficial for this client despite her memory difficulties, since, following therapy, she was no longer distressed when thinking about her childhood.

Effectiveness Life Review on Life Satisfaction among Adolescents under the Supervision of Qazvin Well-Being Center

“…A similar research in the field of life review therapy has not been yet conducted in Iran; however, at the international level, the results of the present study are consistent with the results obtained by Holland (2011), Weiss (2000), Haight et al [19], and Hirsch and Mouratoglou [20]. In line with the above finding, Haight and Webster [21] reported that among 100 life review therapy cases, only 7% of these cases had negative outcomes.…”

Oral History: A Pragmatic Approach to Improving Life Satisfaction of Elders

“…Scores range from 0 to 20 (low to high). The LSIA has been used in a variety of settings, including with community-dwelling older adults (Haight, 1988;Haight, 1992), residents of nursing homes (Chao et al, 2006;Cook, 1998;Haight, Michel, & Hendrix, 1998;Hanaoka & Okamura, 2004;Hirsch & Mouratoglou, 1999), and older adults with terminal illness (LeFavi & Wessels, 2003).…”

Legacy Writing and the Consumption of Biographic Services

“…However, numerous studies have shown that there are many advantages to coherently structuring one's life story. It not only has a positive influence on mood (Fallot, ), life satisfaction (Cook, ), well‐being (Haight, ), depression (Bohlmeijer, Smith, & Cuijpers, ), and anxiety when facing death (Jones, Lyons, & Cunningham, ), but it also helps to resolve memory problems (Hirsch & Mourtoglou, ). It gives the sensation of being in control of one's life as opposed to the sense of powerlessness felt when facing the loss of reference points and identity linked to the aging process.…”