Reminiscence Therapy

Reminiscence therapy is an intervention technique used with people who have a memory disorder, by asking about their life history; for example, an older person shown an old photo or a vintage car may be asked if they remember when the photo was taken or if they knew anyone with a car like it. It is used to counsel and support brain-injured patients and people with Alzheimer's and similar cognitive problems, and the American Psychological Association defines it as the use of life histories, written, oral or both, to improve psychological well-being, most often with older people, respecting the individual's life and experiences to help maintain good mental health. Most research on reminiscence therapy has focused on the elderly, especially those with depression, and has been carried out across diverse cultures including Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States; it is regarded overall as an inexpensive and potentially beneficial approach that provides a sense of life satisfaction and coping skills and may help ameliorate symptoms of depression and dementia.