Reminiscence Therapy

Reminiscence therapy uses life stories, in pictures, writing or speech, to support psychological well-being.

Reminiscence therapy is one of the most widely used psychosocial approaches in dementia care. It uses a person's own memories, photos and life story to prompt conversation and connection. StoriiCare helps adult day and community-based care teams run reminiscence sessions from each participant's life story media and record them as activities.

Reminiscence therapy session for older adults supported by StoriiCare

Reminiscence sessions in StoriiCare

Sessions are simple and fun, and they do not add to staff workload. A caregiver starts a session by viewing and discussing the content in a participant's Media section in StoriiCare. Activity reports from these sessions can be shared with regulators as evidence of the quality of care provided.

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Life story media used in a StoriiCare reminiscence session

Effects

Positive effects of reminiscence therapy

Better Cognition & Mood

Reminiscence therapy can help stimulate memory and boost overall mood in individuals with cognitive decline, including those living with dementia.

Increased Empowerment

By focusing on meaningful memories, individuals feel more in control of their identity and experiences, promoting a sense of empowerment.

Reduced Caregiver Strain

Structured reminiscence activities can ease emotional and caregiving burdens, fostering better relationships and reducing stress for loved ones.

Boosted Self-Esteem

Reconnecting with one's life story builds confidence, dignity and a positive sense of self, especially important in dementia care.

Improved Daily Functioning

Participants often show improvements in daily functions, such as attention span, verbal expression, and task engagement.

Stronger Communication

Reminiscence encourages conversation, improving verbal interaction and making it easier for caregivers to connect with those they support.

Fewer Depression Symptoms

Reflecting on positive life events can lift spirits and help alleviate symptoms of depression in older adults.

Stimulating & Fun

From music and photos to stories and group sharing, reminiscence activities offer enjoyable ways to stay mentally and emotionally active.

Research

Many studies show reminiscence therapy benefits people with cognitive impairments like dementia

These studies tend to focus on two measures: improvements in cognitive function and improvements in quality of life. StoriiCare's reminiscence sessions are based on best practice, and we update them as new research is published. The sources below are a good starting point to learn more about dementia and reminiscence therapy.

Alzheimer’s Society

Alzheimer's Society | United Against Dementia

Alzheimer’s Society

Treatments for dementia | Alzheimer's Society

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Dementia: supporting people with dementia and their carers in health and social care | Guidance | NICE

Wiley Online Library

The prevalence of dementia and depression in Taiwanese institutionalized leprosy patients, and the effectiveness evaluation of reminiscence therapy

University of Exeter

People with dementia gain from learning self-management skills | University of Exeter

Iriss

Supporting those with dementia: Reminiscence therapy and life story work | Iriss