Reminiscence Therapy
The power of positive memoriesMeaningful Memories
Have you ever taken “a trip down memory lane” with a family member or an old friend and felt better better because of it? We all have. Reminiscing about the past is not just a great way to feel better and connect with others, it’s also an extremely effective form of therapy for older people suffering from memory loss and dementia.
“Dwelling in the past used to be considered as a sign of senility, but reminiscing can be an important and therapeutic aspect of aging”
Sandy Klever, BA, RN
Watching a loved one struggle with memory loss is one of the toughest things you’ll ever go through. And while there’s no cure for dementia or age-related memory loss, its progress can be slowed down with the right kind of help. Reminiscence therapy is one of the best.
Reminiscence What?
The world can be a confusing place for older adults with memory loss and dementia. Things don’t make sense like they used to, and even the most patient, well-meaning caregivers can sometimes confuse them. Reminiscence therapy reminds people struggling with memory loss of a time when the world made sense, which can be very calming.
Even as people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease struggle with short-term memory loss, they generally hold onto their cherished long-term memories. Reminiscing about past events can make them feel more confident, and gives them a chance to talk about things that are important to them.
Reminiscing about the past has clinical benefits as well. Researchers and therapists say it can improve memory, stimulate mental activity, and improve overall well-being. It can even help people with dementia fight symptoms of unhappiness and depression.
The ultimate goal of reminiscence therapy is to make sure our friends remains confident, sociable, and happy for as long as possible.
Reminiscence therapy taps into the power of memory, engaging all five senses to evoke past experiences. Activities such as viewing photos, cooking, or enjoying music serve as conduits to unlock cherished memories.
Psychiatrist Robert Butler pioneered this approach in the early 1960s, recognizing its profound impact on patients with dementia. He believed that reminiscing about past experiences could improve the quality of life for older adults, even those facing cognitive decline.
What seems like basic common sense today was initially considered a radical approach. At the time, most psychiatrists didn’t think it was a good idea for people to be “living in the past”. But time has shown that reminiscence is a natural part of healthy aging.
8 Benefits of Reminiscing
1. It makes people feel valued and heard
Sometimes the elderly feel ignored of neglected. Having meaningful conversations with other people can fill an older adult with confidence and give them a chance to contribute rather than just listen. By helping them remember their past, reminiscence therapy helps them feel like an important part of their family and community.
2. It can strengthen relationships
Speaking of families, reminiscing can strengthen bonds between family members and friends. Discussing shared experiences with people we care about helps us feel understood and connected. Great storytelling also helps to preserve family stories for future generations. And who knows, you may hear a story or two you haven’t heard before. Still waters run deep.
3. It can build confidence
Remembering the past reminds older people of all the difficult challenges they were able to overcome when they were younger. And when they remember how they were able to overcome those obstacles, it can instill a meaningful sense of strength and confidence about their ability to face their current challenges.
4. It exercises the brain
Remembering ain’t easy. Pulling up old memories from the past exercises a person’s brain muscles. These mental calisthenics can help improve an older adult’s abilities to focus and recall memories, which improves communication skills, which in turn can make a big difference in how they’re able to interact with people during the course of their day-to-day lives.
5. Remember your way to better health
Something as simple as recalling the past can also improve physical health. Reminiscing has been shown to reduce headaches, back pain, indigestion, and heart palpitations. According to the book, “I Remember When: Activity to Help People Reminisce” by Doctors Howard Thorsheim and Bruce Robert, seniors who reminisce show lower blood pressure and heart rates.
6. Memories can help with stress management
Coping with stress is an important key to maintaining our health and well-being. Studies have found that reminiscing positive memories can actually lessen the negative physiological impacts that stresses have on our bodies.
A recent study found that something as simple as recalling a happy memory can reduce our levels of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, by an average of 15 percent. Using MRI scans, researchers found the two areas of the brain associated with emotions and reward processing are chemically enhanced by positive memory recall after a stressful event.
This research is significant because it shows that positive memories have tangible, physical effects on our bodies. The critical importance of reminiscence therapy becomes even more apparent when you stop to consider that people suffering from dementia and depression are less able to recall good memories.
7. Can help lessen need for medication
One of the biggest benefits of reminiscence therapy is when clients have lower stress levels, feel better about themselves, and become more active, they often require less medication. Furthermore, compared to conventional drug-based therapy, reminiscence treatment has no severe side effects.
8. It can reduce strain on caregivers
Burnout is one of the most challenging aspects of being a caregiver. Watching a loved one decline is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting. And it’s inevitable that such a challenging situation will create friction.
We have found inviting family members and caregivers to come in and join our reminiscence sessions can provide tremendous opportunities for them to reconnect with their loved ones. Relationships can be strengthened by shared memories and enhanced communication. Sometimes they even rediscover parts of their relationship they thought that might be lost forever. These reminiscence sessions can also help provide a focus for continued conversations.
New Model for Treating Dementia
Just outside of Amsterdam there’s a beautiful small village that looks pretty much like any other beautiful, small dutch village near the North Sea. Like most other villages, Hogeweyk, Netherlands has a town square, theater, garden, grocery store and post office. But unlike other villages, it’s actually a nursing home for people with severe dementia.
With only 152 inhabitants, it looks and is run like small town. But Hogeweyk has around-the-clock video surveillance, all the city workers are either nurses or trained caregivers, not to mention there’s only one door that leads in and out of town. All part of a security system designed to keep everybody safe.
Hogeweyk was the first of a new generation of reminiscence therapy treatment facilities that integrate dementia patients with the communities around them, blurring lines between home and hospital. CNN reports that residents at Hogeweyk “require fewer medications; they eat better, and yes, they live longer”.
A question we could ask ourselves is where would we rather end up? In a place where we felt like we were living a normal, everyday life? Or in a traditional long-term living facility?
Not much of a question, really.
Back in August 2013, CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta traveled to Hogeweyk and took a look around.
12 Tips for Reminiscing at Home
You don’t have to be a trained therapist to be able to reminisce with a friend or loved one. Anyone can do it. Reminiscence therapy doesn’t require any special tools and can be a great way to connect with a loved one at home. Here are some tips to help you get started.
12 Tips for Reminiscing
You don’t have to be a trained therapist to reminisce with a loved one. Anyone can do it. Here are some tips to help you get started.
1). Ask open-ended questions. If your question has a simple yes or no answer, it doesn’t do much to further the conversation. Open-ended questions encourage lengthy replies and invites someone to share their personal thoughts, experiences, and opinions.
2). Turn off the TV and other distractions and give your loved one your full attention.
3). Try to use all five senses to help prompt reminiscing. Senses will help memories come easier.
4). Let your loved on lead the conversation. Be patient and let them talk about what they want.
5). Be an active listener. Respond positively, ask follow-up questions, and allow time for silence and emotion.
6). Ask about specific memories. The more specific the better.
7). Try listening to their favorite music. Music has strong connections to memory. Especially music from their childhood and formative years.
8). Make a meal they loved as a child. As you prepare and share the meal, ask them questions about where the recipe came from and who would make it for them.
9). Smell familiar smells. Memories triggered by scents are stronger than memories triggered by any other sense. That’s becasuse the parts of the brain that deal with scents, memories, and emotions are all linked together.
10). Look through old photos. Find an old family photo album, especially if it includes pictures from their younger years. Photos record specific moments in time and will help jog their memory.
11). Keep in mind you don’t need to know all the answers and your loved one is not going to be able to always respond quickly and easily. Just try to make it fun and enjoy each other’s company.
12). Always end on a positive note. Make sure to say thank you and let your loved one know how grateful you are for their time and sharing their memories.
There’s always a chance that painful or unhappy memories will surface. But that’s okay. It can give your loved one a chance to resolve issues they may not have dealt with before. Just remember to listen patiently and to respond with kindness and understanding. And if appropriate, share your own experiences as a sign of support.
Spend the Hours Reminiscing
We understand how devastating memory loss is for everyone involved. Many of us have been there with our family members.
The first thing you see when you walk in the front door is a working vintage soda fountain and classic mid-century retro diner area. Our center was built to evoke the mid-century modern era. A time when most of our guests were young and everything made sense. These sensory blasts from the past are designed to spark memories and encourage our guests to feel safe, confident and comfortable.
Our programming focuses on reminiscence, cognitive wellness, friendship, learning, and social engagement. Our staff is specially trained in dementia care techniques that help our friends with memory difficulties open up and engage in meaningful ways.
Get a Free Guest Pass
Finding the right kind of long-term care for your loved one can be very difficult, to say the least. But we’re here to help. Give us a call or drop us an email and we’ll be happy to set up a time to give you a tour.
Call 660-GOOD DAY (660-466-3329) or e-mail us at [email protected] for more information.