Why do reminiscence?

Benefits for older people:

• Remembering the past is a normal activity - people who are not in their own homes surrounded by mementos may not have many chances for spontaneous reminiscence.
• Reminiscence is a very important way of knowing who we are. It has been suggested that knowing and understanding our roots are the basis for our sense of identity and personal confidence.
• For people who may not be very active in the present, the past can provide a more vivid topic of conversation and focus for social activity. Reminiscence can also be used as a focus for a variety of other fun activities.
• Reminiscence sessions provide opportunities for positive achievement to people with degrees of physical or mental frailty whose lives may currently be associated with decline or failure. Activities are designed so people succeed and get a sense of achievement.
• Reminiscence can offer opportunities to develop increased confidence and learn new skills such as art, music, computer skills.
• In care settings, recalling the past forms part of the informal conversations between people of all ages and can be very positive. More formal reminiscence can be used to build peoples skills in line with a care programme such as dexterity, social skills and concentration skills. Targets can be set and achievements monitored.

Benefits for staff:

• Reminiscence is a way of appreciating the individuality of people and being reminded of their long personal and social past.
• Running reminiscence sessions is a creative process for the staff involved and can add to job satisfaction.
• In many care settings, time spent talking can be squeezed out by day to day physical care tasks. Having formal reminiscence sessions ensures that there is time for conversation.