The impact of reminiscence groups in two different settings

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Abstract
Reminiscence groups are being increasingly used as a ‘therapeutic’ activity with elderly people suffering from dementia. A report on two separate reminiscence groups carried out in two different day centres is presented. The settings are described along with the aims, methods and content of the two groups. The study compared the effect of reminiscence with the effect of alternative group activities on elderly people's interaction in the two separate settings using an observational methodology. The interaction pattern of a staff member in each centre was also observed. The impact of the reminiscence groups in the two day centres was quite different, illustrating the need for careful definition of environmental factors in evaluating such approaches. Where there was previously little interaction during an alternative group activity, reminiscence produced a dramatic change in the behaviour of the staff member and elderly people observed. In an initially ‘richer’ environment, reminiscence did not effect a change in either staff or elderly people. Ways in which reminiscence may best be used with elderly people with dementia are discussed, and the extension of observation to include more qualitative aspects of interaction is recommended.

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