Reminiscence Therapy For Older Adults Essay

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According to the World Health Organization (2016), the population of older adults is estimated to almost double from about 12% to 22% between 2015 and 2050. Older adults are more likely to experience special physical and mental challenges as they age. Mental health of older adults plays a vital role in the preservation and maintenance of quality of life, independence and autonomy. Untreated mental health disorders in older adults can lead to diminished functioning, substance abuse, poor quality of life, and increased mortality. Various non-pharmacological interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in managing and reducing depression in older adults (Apóstolo, Bobrowicz-Campos, Rodrigues, Castro, & Cardoso, 2016). There are numerous areas of overlap between these therapies as well. As people age, …show more content…

Reminiscing allows older adults to recognize past accomplishments and maintain a balanced perspective of their life experience. Reminiscence therapy is defined as “using the recall of past events, feelings and thoughts to facilitate pleasure, quality of life, or adaptation to present circumstances” (McCloskey & Bulechek, 2000). Reminiscence therapy has been noted to be beneficial for maintenance or enhancement of mood, self-esteem and life satisfaction among elderly population (Wu, 2011). It has been practiced in nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers, and community groups. The therapy has a great deal of flexibility as it can be tailored to the individuals. Group sessions can be conducted using activities such as music, arts, and even props to provide stimulation. Life story intervention can be useful in the promotion of an older adult’s identity, self- worth and increase social connectedness (Jones & Nies, 2017). Increased social involvement, improvement in self-esteem and life satisfaction resulted in lower loneliness levels among older adults (Fujiwara et al., 2012). MB intervention also involves brain exercises and

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