Reminiscence Therapy Stimulating from memories

 Why is it important to help older people to remember events and experiences from their past?

One of the reasons is that favors the integration of the past into the present of the elderly. Especially in those who manifest some type of dementia.

Remembering is a healthy and normal life cycle process. Mainly in the aging stage where life satisfaction is evaluated. In addition, we can see the tendency of our elderly people to continuously talk about their past.

There is social myth quite generalized that it consists of believing that remembering the past is something harmful in older people. However, it is necessary to break with this erroneous belief since thanks to memories, people maintain their own personal identity.

In addition, they reaffirm the confidence and security to face changes related to this evolutionary period, old age.

Another reason is that the process of remembering is exercised through memory. With aging, the immediate memory being preserved, in most cases, the remote memory where past memories are stored.

However, older people with dementia and cognitive impairment may have more difficulty recalling past experiences. Starting from this, the application of the Reminiscence Therapy.

Reminiscence Therapy

The Reminiscence It is a technique that favors the evocation of memories and events of the past, connecting them with the present. In addition, it stimulates the expression of past experiences as well as the ability to self-recognition.

The purpose of this technique is manage to strengthen and consolidate the identity of each one, facing the changes that the aging process supposes.

To do this, it focuses on promoting, mainly, through narration and / or materials associated with events of the past 2 types of memory:

• episodic or autobiographical memory (personal memories). It is a form of memory focused on specific memories of specific past events: a birthday greeting, the beginning of a job, any event that marks life. It does not refer only to the events themselves, but also to the entire spatial, temporal and emotional context.
• semantic memory (contains knowledge of relevant historical data). It is a type of declarative memory on which our general knowledge of language and the world depends. In semantic memory, absolutely all the information that we have and that is related to concepts, facts and language is organized

Reminiscence therapy involves processes such as: focused attention, expressive and comprehensive language, orientation, semantic memory, and gnosis.

It is also about the person experience emotions linked to those memories, highlighting those that are rewarding for the person.

In this way, people develop their life review with the intention that they can resolve unresolved conflicts. They feel satisfied with their successes and, ultimately, perceive themselves as self-realized people with a complete life, providing them with a state of tranquility and inner peace.

Reminiscence uses the stimulation, communication, socialization and training as tools, so it is a very complete technique.

Reminiscence functions

The reminiscence process fulfills a series of functions that allow the achievement of personal goals, taking into account the particularities of each person.

In addition, it is necessary to emphasize that reminiscence is appropriate in mild and moderate phases of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, as well as in the case of people with mild cognitive impairment or memory problems associated with normal aging.

Between the reminiscence functions, the most prominent are the following:

• Preserve and reinforce personal identity

• Maintain or increase self-esteem, focusing on elements and positive aspects of autobiographical memories

• Stimulate the language and social participation through conversation

• • Allow the resignification, that is, to remember an event, whether positive or negative, and give it a new meaning. In case of conflicting facts, a new reading is made that allows them to be relocated in a less painful way

• Sort out problems

• Reduce the boredom

• Keep the privacy

• Manifest the achievement of longevity, that is, having reached old age with a life full of experiences

• Stimulate mourning and preparing the person for death

• Help maintain collective memory In two ways:

A) Offering opportunities to share experiences and wisdom with other older people

B) Transmitting knowledge of past events to the new generations

Reminiscence Benefits

The reminiscence technique provides a series of benefits both on a psychological and social level to the elderly. The recovery of autobiographical memories helps them to develop and find a sense of continuity in your life.

Remembering also encourages the person connect with others and feel good about yourself. On the other hand, knowing the person's past implies a greater understanding about certain behaviors or reactions that presents at a given moment.

Some of the Benefits that are obtained with the reminiscence are:

• Increase in sense of well-being

• Increase in self-esteem

• Meaning and satisfaction with the life

• Overcoming the negative emotions

• Increase of relationships

• Reduction of problem behaviors

• Consolidation of relationships relatives

• Reduction of depressive symptoms

• Adaptation to daily life activities

• Acceptance of the death

• Improvement or slowing of cognitive impairments: language, memory, orientation ...

Reminiscence Exercises

When performing reminiscence exercises, it must be borne in mind that memories are located within a sociocultural and family context.

Both contexts set the guidelines when narrating stories and personal life experiences.

These exercises are intended to provoke a evocation of past situations (childhood, youth, adulthood ...), highlighting the emotions that arouses the memory.

On the other hand, it is convenient involve family members since they can provide us with useful material and information to facilitate the triggering of memories.

In addition, if family members or caregivers include reminiscence in activities of daily life, it can become a useful tool to enhance positive feelings..

The general structure of reminiscence consists mainly of: show the person a material (example: a photograph), linked to their own experience or historical events of their generation.

After this, the person evokes memories and relates various aspects of it. The activities or exercises must make sense for the person and be adapted to your capabilities.

Reminiscence can be applied in a group way strengthening interpersonal relationships by sharing their experiences with others. Even comment on general historical facts common to his generation..

Materials needed to perform Reminiscence exercises

The materials used in these exercises must be, above all,, significant for the person. In this way you can relate them to personal memories and experiences..

These materials act as stimuli and they are very diverse, the following being the most common in reminiscence sessions:

• Visuals: photographs, videos and films, books, magazines, newspaper articles (from different stages of his life, famous people, politicians or historical scenes ...)

• Hearing: music, recordings, songs

• Olfactory: flowers, scents, perfumes

• Gustatory: savor old dishes

• Touch: manipulation of objects (for example: domestic) and textures

Examples of Reminiscence exercises

• Memories box. Personal objects or significant materials from past eras are collected (photographs, clothes, music, documents ...).

• Make a Book of Memories or Autobiographical Memories (life story) with letters, photographs, newspaper clippings, pieces of cloth ... that capture the most important experiences of the person's life. It can be done by separating events by decades.

• Perform specific questions about past events, for example:
  • Do you remember any game from your childhood?
  • Where used to play?
  • With whom did he play?
  • What were the rules of that game? How did i play?

Other questions may focus on aspects such as: food, education, his first love, the birth of his first child, his wedding dress, his favorite parties, a cooking recipe, work, vacations and trips, among many others.

• Perform daily life activities such as: setting the table, folding the clothes, making the bed, tidying the room, etc..

• Remembering "Story". It consists of collecting information or data on the most important historical, social and cultural events of the person's generation. Then read this information provoking comments about your experience before certain events.

• Activities of drawing, painting and collage about some memory of the past

Reminiscence has great utility in the evocation of past memories of the person bringing them to the present moment.

It is also important in conducting rereadings of each of the events experienced. Focusing on provoking positive emotions Y solve past conflicts.

The purpose of all this is give meaning to your own identity and achieve greater satisfaction with your life.

Thanks to the reminiscence memory is stimulated which is one of the most affected cognitive areas in aging.

"The memory is the diary that we all carry with us", -Oscar Wilde-.