Meet the real elders: reminiscence links past and present.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to develop an understanding of the process of reminiscence and the roles played by nurses in fostering reminiscence as a therapeutic intervention.


BACKGROUND
Reminiscence therapy has been considered an effective nursing strategy for improving quality of life and preventing depression in nursing home settings. Until recently, however, there has been little attention to understanding the dynamics of reminiscence therapy and the interaction between a nurse and an older client during reminiscence.


METHODS
A qualitative research design employing participant observation and content analysis of recorded reminiscence therapy sessions was used in this study.


METHODS
Participant observation was used to explore the process of individual reminiscence therapy and identify nursing roles in the process generated. Ten nursing home residents participated and data were collected over two months through interviews and observation. Content analysis was used to identify emerging themes.


RESULTS
Reminiscence occurred in four stages: entrée, immersion, withdrawal and closure. Stimuli related to participants' past lives were helpful for initiating reminiscence. Nursing roles in each stage were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
A tentative model of the process of reminiscence was derived from study findings. Further study is needed to validate the model in nursing practice with older clients.


CONCLUSIONS
Reminiscence could be initiated by nursing staff at anytime during care of residents. Information about the reminiscence process and related nursing roles may be helpful in understanding and assisting adaptation in nursing home residents.
Chao
Shu-Yuan
SY
Department of Nursing, Hungkuang University, Sha-Lu, Taichung, Taiwan. curie_chao@hotmail.com
Chen
Chaio-Rung
CR
Liu
Hsing-Yuan
HY
Clark
Mary Jo
MJ
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009735:Nursing Homes; D013624:Taiwan