MID PHASE
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MEMORY + DEMENTIA
REMINISCENCE THERAPY:
How It Can Help with Memory Issues
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SRGTEXAS.COM
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SPRING/SUMMER 2022
L
iving in the past is often viewed with negative connotations and discouragement. However, when it comes to patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia, reminiscing can be a healthy and beneficial way to feel connected, valued and heard. Reminiscence therapy or a “life review” was first proposed by Dr. Robert Butler, a psychiatrist specializing in geriatric medicine, in the 1960s as a new way to look at aging and the natural process of memory. This was counter to what the other leading psychologists and psychiatrists promoted as they felt that one should focus on the present and the future rather than try to relive broken or disconnected memories. For caregivers working with patients who have cognitive difficulties, reminiscence therapy can be an effective tool for engaging in conversation, making the patient feel valued and heard, and dealing with difficult emotions. There are several easy and effective ways for even non-trained professionals to participate in this form of therapy.
WHAT IS REMINISCENCE THERAPY? The practice of reminiscence therapy involves exchanging memories from one’s past as a way to remember more things. Its main goal is to stimulate the brain and improve overall well-being. Professional clinicians and family members can use this approach in both a clinical setting as well as an informal setting.
