The functions and value of reminiscence for older adults in long-term residential care facilities

Abstract

For the many older adults living in long-term care facilities, the ability to connect with others, as well as with one's own personal past, may be of particular value. Reflecting on the past and sharing reminiscences with others serves different psychosocial functions in various settings. This study examined the functions of reminiscence for long-term care residents in the United States (M = 86.5) by addressing the self-reported frequency of reminiscence, the counterparties involved, the overall purpose and value of reminiscence, and the relation to residents' mental health and well-being. Results demonstrated that although some functions of reminiscence were comparable to those found in community-dwelling older adults, others were unique to the long-term care setting. Residents were most likely to reminisce alone and they found the experience enjoyable. They reported engaging in and enjoying reminiscence with family more than with fellow residents, and a subset desired increased opportunities to share memories with healthcare providers. Residents with lower morale and more depressive symptoms were more likely to engage in unhealthy styles of reminiscence. These findings suggest that interventions shaping reminiscence encounters may have positive outcomes for long-term care residents.

The Best Day of the Week: New Technology Enhancing Quality of Life in a Care Home

“…For example, games or drawing apps could be introduced, or memory and reminiscence activities could be stimulated, for example, by virtual visits using map applications. Reminiscence activities have been demonstrated to reduce loneliness, facilitate opportunities for meaningful activities and increase wellbeing [58,59,60,61]. Thus, TT has the potential to reduce inactivity by providing meaningful activities at RACFs to help combat boredom and loneliness and to support meaning engagement and PCC approaches in nursing.…”

Virtual visits: Reminiscence in residential aged care with digital mapping technologies

“…4 However, research indicates residential aged care facilities residents may lack opportunities for reminiscence which is fulfilling and allows for social bonding. 3 Photographs, music and physical objects have long been used to prompt reminiscence. Digital technologies extend the options for prompting reminiscence, allowing use of public and personal media tailored to individual interests and life history.…”

“…For older adults living in residential aged care facilities, reminiscence enables connections with the past and social interaction, 3 thereby influencing quality of life. Reminiscence can include group activities for communication, and individual interventions targeting mood and cognition 4 .…”

Impact of Life Experiences and Use of Web 2.0 Tools in Adults and Older Adults

“…Those that have found benefits include studies suggesting that these interventions exert a positive effect on depressive symptoms, anxiety, loneliness, socialization, memory, and self-esteem, and more generally on physical and mental health, life satisfaction, well-being, and quality of life, in both the healthy population and the population affected by a range of psychological, cognitive, affective-emotional, behavioral, or social problems (Hyams and Scogin, 2015; Latorre et al, 2015; Lopes et al, 2016; El Haj and Antoine, 2017; Wren, 2017). However, other studies have indicated the maladaptive effect of reminiscence, whereby experiences may be emphasized in an unhealthy manner or prompt rumination, self-blame and pessimism, and memories of these may undermine happiness, satisfaction, and well-being or trigger a series of negative emotions (Henkel et al, 2016; Stikkelbroek et al, 2016). Moreover, most studies have focused on analyzing stressful life events, their negative consequences and the coping strategies employed to get over them, especially in the older population (Latorre et al, 2015; Randall et al, 2015; Lasgaard et al, 2016).…”