Life story work in health and social care: systematic literature review

Abstract

Evidence on the use of life story work is immature, leading to the recommendation for more research. Although appraising literature from a range of approaches is complex, there are some potentially far-reaching benefits of life story work in health and social care practice.

The value of life story work for staff, people with dementia and family members

“…Life story work may be defined as an intervention carried out in health and social care, and encompasses a range of term such as biography, life history and life story. It involves working with a person and/or their family to record an account of a person's past and present life with the aim of using it to affect the care they presently receive (McKeown et al, 2006, Kellett et al, 2010. It usually results in a "product", for example, a story-book or a life history/biography, which might also include pictures, photographs or memorabilia.…”

“…It helps staff to understand the person being cared for in the context of their past and it may also help staff to understand behaviours that they observe in the present (McKeown et al, 2006). The literature also refers to the subsequent effect that life story work can have on a person's care.…”

“…For people with dementia, telling their life story can be a way of trying to bring attention back to who the person is and maintaining identity (McKeown et al 2010, Heggestad andSlettebo 2015). However, as noted by McKeown et al (2006) research that focuses on patient perceptions of life story work are less frequently reported in the literature.…”

“…Relatives have a need to preserve the identity of the person with dementia and also their own role/identity as a carer (Keady and Swarbrick 2013). Involving family members in life story work is one possible intervention that could help to provide a defined role (McKeown et al 2006). Kellett et al (2010) also indicated that involving family members in biography work has other additional benefits.…”

“…Being able to share life stories can make it easier to communicate in ways that validate the person or individual (McKeown et al, 2006, Potts, 2012, Savundrayagam, 2014. As a relative of a person with dementia who has recently been admitted to a care home, I have been involved with constructing a life story on behalf of my relative.…”