NOSTALGIC AMERICA

Description

Reminiscence Therapy

Reminiscing and reminiscence therapy involve reaching the memories that reside in these still viable regions of the brain. There are many ways to encourage these memories, and you should. They can be comforting, even therapeutic. A study published in the June 2007 issue of Geriatrics and Gerontology International concluded that a reminiscence group program was an effective way to enhance the cognitive capacity of people with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia as well as their ability to participate in normal activities of daily living. A summary of existing data, including studies published in professional journals, and interviews with specialists, concluded that the general mood and cognition improved in subjects with dementia who participated in some form of reminiscence therapy.

The activity should be enjoyable and nonthreatening. Never try to force the conversation, but you may have to lead it by making suggestions, like, “Do you remember what you were doing when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon?” Read more about reminiscing and reminiscence therapy at our website.