Use of a structured reminiscence protocol to decrease depression in older women

Abstract

Depression is a major public health problem for older women. Medications do not always decrease depression. Therefore, there is a need to research alternative approaches to dealing with depression in this age group. Structured reminiscence has been suggested as a cognitive behaviour approach for dealing with depression in older women. However, the research is limited. This article presents a research study using a structured reminiscence protocol to decrease depression in older women. This study found significant positive results. First, structured reminiscence decreases depression levels of women 60 years and older residing in assisted living facilities when offered twice weekly for 6-week duration to document significant improvement in depression scores. Second, engagement in reminiscence must occur longer than 3 weeks to measure a significant improvement in depression scores. The study also recommends screening of all older women admitted to assisted living facilities for depression on admission and offering education to nurses working with older adults to educate them on the positive effects of structured reminiscence group interventions.

A quasi-experimental study of a reminiscence program focused on autobiographical memory in institutionalized older adults with cognitive impairment

“…The effectiveness of simple reminiscence evidence is limited with regard to its effects on mental health . Several research findings point to the positive effects of reminiscence in reducing depressive symptoms (Bohlmeijer, Valenkamp, Westerhof, Smit, & Cuijpers, 2005;Chiang et al, 2010;Kwon, Cho, & Lee, 2013;Pinquart & Forstmeier, 2012;Shellman, Mokel, & Hewitt, 2009;Stinson, Young, Kirk, & Walker, 2010), improving cognition (Cotelli, Manenti, & Zanetti, 2012;Kwon et al, 2013;Pinquart & Forstmeier, 2012;Woods, Spector, & Jones, 2005), mood (Cotelli et al, 2012;Lin, Dai, & Hwang, 2003;Woods et al, 2005), quality of life (Kwon et al, 2013), satisfaction with life (Chiang, Lu, Chu, Chang, & Chou, 2008;Lin et al, 2003), self-esteem (Chao et al, 2006;Chiang et al, 2008), well-being (Chiang et al, 2010;Pinquart & Forstmeier, 2012;Reis-Bergan, Gibbons, Gerrard, & Ybema, 2000), mastery (Bohlmeijer et al, 2005;Bohlmeijer, Kramer, Smit, Onrust, & Van Marwijk, 2009;Pinquart & Forstmeier, 2012), ego integrity, purpose in life, preparation for death, mental health and social integration (Pinquart & Forstmeier, 2012). Nevertheless, despite the potential beneficial of reminiscence therapy, authors are unanimous in recognizing constraints, particularly in methodological designs, that hampers an effective assessment of the impact of this therapy (Cotelli et al, 2012;Lin et al, 2003;Lopes, Afonso, & Ribeiro, 2014;Pinquart & Forstmeier, 2012;Westerhof et al, 2010;Woods et al, 2005).…”

<p>The Iranian Protocol of Group Reminiscence and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Institutionalized Older People</p>

“…This finding was consistent with the results of the other studies. 18 , 21 – 24 Older people experience a better inner feeling by expressing and reviewing their past memories, spent in a busy period. Moreover, they may act more energetically by discharging their emotions while reminiscing.…”

“…Consistent results were reported in other literature. 18 , 21 – 23 For older adults, leisure activities are a great way to stay healthy and fit. 24 It has been repeatedly shown that staying active during the last period of life is associated with less disease and lower mortality rate as it promotes health.…”

“…The findings of most studies were similar to the results of the present study. 21 , 22 , 24 To explain this, it can be stated that the inevitable physical and mental weakness during life may make older people very vulnerable. Moreover, the residents of nursing homes have different unanswered needs, which often lead to increased behavioral and mental difficulties.…”

Spiritual reminiscence therapy for older people with loneliness, anxiety and depression living in a residential aged care facility, Malaysia: The effectiveness and older people’s experiences

“…In PP analysis, the participants (N = 20) who attended at least three weeks of the six-week SRT program and attention control activities were included. This criterion was based on previous findings that RT should be at least three weeks in length to be effective for older people with depression (Stinson, Young, Kirk, & Walker, 2010). …”