Using video life reviews with older adults

Abstract

Reminiscence by elderly people, known as life review (Butler, 1963), has been widely used as a therapeutic technique. This paper discusses a study with fifteen ageing families in which a therapist assisted the ageing member in producing a videotaped vignette from the life review. The resulting video life reviews were found to be an effective tool in helping the ageing family in 're-storying' the past events with new narrative and meaning. Three predominant themes were identified: ( 1 ) historical and evaluative reviews, (2) transition reviews, and (3) reviews dealing with emotional pain. Also discussed are the reactions of the ageing families to the video life reviews, the therapeutic uses of the technique, and format suggestions for therapists. Butler (1963) was among the first to propose the therapeutic benefits of reminiscence in older people as they engage in the process of looking back over life, known as 'life review'. Therapists working with the ageing population have popularized the life review technique in helping older people deal with the processes and losses associated with ageing as well as resolving past and unintegrated conflicts.

The value of digital video data for qualitative social work research: A narrative review

“…While the video record does not present an unmediated view of the research encounter, video data make audio and visual information of that encounter available for repeat analysis. Several researchers have found ways to creatively utilize video records in ways that are of value to research participants as well, providing them with a memento or artifact of their participation that can serve a variety of reflective purposes (Hargrave, 1994;Rahim, 2012;Wexler et al, 2013).…”

“…Through intimate portrayals of research participants' stories using their voices and images, video fosters a sense of connection between on-screen participants and audience members, contributing to improved understandings and empathic responses. This finding holds true both in situations where viewers and participants are previously known or connected to one another as family members (Hargrave, 1994;Lenette et al, 2015;Rahim, 2012;Wexler et al, 2013;Willis et al, 2014), in a professional capacity (Greenwald et al, 2008;Johnson and Alderson, 2008;Reeves, 2013;Silverman, 2016) or through community ties (Catalani et al, 2012;DiFulvio et al, 2016;Litwin, 1977;Rahim, 2012;Sawyer and Willis, 2011), as well as when viewers and participants have never met (Fenge and Jones, 2012;Gelman and Tosone, 2010;Grassau, 2009). Video has been found to appeal to the emotions, often with the added benefit of inciting viewers to action by conveying powerful stories of social problems (Catalani et al, 2012;Litwin, 1977;Willis et al, 2014).…”

Depression in Mature Marriages: Impact and Implications for Marital Therapy

“…Cognitive therapy, which has proven to be an effective treatment of depression, could be used to identlfy and restructure the negative thoughts of either partner, which can lead to decreases in hardiness (Moberg solving and communication training. Other therapists may wish to build hardiness through life review or reminiscence therapy, which focuses on restorying past events (kean et al, 1993;DeGenova, 1991;Hargrave, 1994). It is interesting to note that these types of interventions parallel those based on the narrative approach (White, 1995).…”