How Reminiscence Therapy Activities Benefit Seniors

The memories that we cherish the most can bring a sense of joy. A memorable moment is a special or interesting moment in life that can be easily remembered. Most of the time, memorable moments develop into a discussion of past events and experiences. These discussions, also known as, Reminiscence Therapy, are recommended and most often used in clients with dementia. According to NBCI, “It is believed that reminiscence therapy can help elderly individuals by increasing self-acceptance, providing perspective, and enabling the resolution of past conflicts.” Activities that stimulate different senses are not only helpful ways to recall past memories but, can also help clients socialize and interact with others.

How It works

The main focus of Reminiscence Therapy is to help individuals reconnect with society. Reminiscence Therapy is directed  to the parts of the brain that deal with long-term memory. Through sensory organs, Reminiscence Therapy stimulates those memories that have been stored away. Not only does this cause the brain to react differently than usual, but it also impacts seniors emotions and behaviors. According to GoodTherapy.org, “ Studies have shown RT can help older adults become more engaged. People who were known as withdrawn opened up during RT sessions.” Reminiscence Therapy is easy to do and requires minimal skill.

Why It works

Dementia is a disease that causes memory loss due to a decline in mental ability that hinders the performance of activities of daily living. This diseases not only affects the patient, but it also affects their family members or caregivers. Not to mention, dementia makes it difficult for the patient to communicate well with family members and caregivers Reminiscence Therapy enhances the bond through discussions of old memories. With that in mind, Reminiscence Therapy can allow those in the patient’s life to learn new things about them that they may have never knew.

Still Can’t Remember

If you find that your loved one can’t remember things through discussions of their past, consider utilizing different types of activities along with Reminiscence Therapy. There are many benefits that can arise once you blend the two. These activities include, but are not limited to:

• Listening to their favorite music.
• Looking through old photos.
• Tasting or Smelling familiar scents.
• Enjoying other activities like painting, pottery and other types of arts and crafts.

At Spring Hills Senior Communities, we provide a program known as, Smile, that allows family members to engage with residents. These engagements can spark memorable moments that all people with dementia can benefit from. We want to encourage our residents to utilize all types of technology including social media like: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Similar to Smile, these social media platforms allow residents to interact and engage with others while stimulating their mental abilities. Our Director Of Resident Engagement, Emily Gardner, explains, “ Reminiscence therapy is just one approach that we provide to help with our memory care residents. We understand that this may require our residents to relive past memories and can induce a sense of well-being and belonging. However, it may also cause them to relive unpleasant memories. Therefore, It’s important to allow different methods when looking for the right kind of care for you or your loved one.” To learn more about our Signature Touches, click here.