Remiscence therapy: a review

Reminiscence therapy is an evidence based intervention for geriatric depression. However, considerable ambiguity remains regarding the definition of reminiscence, the extent to which reminiscence is integrated with major models of psychotherapy and the types of reminiscence therapy. This chapter reviews the literature on the definition of reminiscence and its use as a therapy for older adults across care settings. Further, it reviews the evidence for the efficacy of various types of reminiscence therapy for older adults with dementia and depression. Two types of reminiscence therapy---life review and life review therapy---have compelling support as efficacious treatments for improving wellbeing and for reducing depression. Some support is available for the efficacy of reminiscence therapy for reducing problems associated with dementia, but more research is clearly indicated. The chapter concludes with an overview of the purported mechanisms of reminiscence therapy, and areas for further investigation