“Back when I was your age, we used to walk 5 miles through 2 feet of snow to get to school every day.”
Sound familiar? Though such stories are often met with children’s giggles and rolling eyes, reminiscing is incredibly important – especially for older adults.
Reminiscence is the process of recalling memories of times past, and often this evokes the emotions that were first associated with those memories.
Reminiscence has a number of tangible benefits for seniors. It has been shown to improve socialization, induce feelings of fulfillment and accomplishment and even ease depression.
In fact, reminiscence therapy is often used with short-term memory loss patients. In these patients, short-term memory is impaired, while long-term memory remains relatively intact. Reminiscing helps these patients ponder on an earlier time when they were more able – both in terms of body and mind – and therefore help them reestablish a sense of power, worth and belonging.
Reminiscing can also be very therapeutic for people dealing with loss. It enables them to relive happy memories about the person who passed away and thereby facilitate their grieving process.
Encourage your aging parents, grandparents or other elderly loved ones to reminiscence on a regular basis. You can help them engage in this process, either in person or on the phone, with a few easy steps.
Start by asking an open-ended question about your loved one’s past. Open-ended questions are important to spark engagement – simple yes/no questions may not lead to any meaningful reminiscing. Triggers, such as photographs, or the incorporation of various senses, such as touch and smell, can help memory recall and facilitate the session as well.
Make sure you actively listen to whatever stories your loved one recounts. Use follow up questions to evoke deeper thought about their experiences or even unearth tangential memories.
If your loved one starts reliving a sad time or negative memory – don’t panic. Allow them to express their emotions and relive those experiences, which can still have therapeutic effect. Re-experiencing them gives the person an opportunity to process what happened and come to terms with it. Simply continue listening and offer a tissue and kinds words if necessary.
Reminiscence is important and therapeutic for seniors. With a few easy steps, you can help create opportunities for elderly loved ones to reminisce regularly and reap the wonderful benefits of this activity.
Back to All Recent Gift Boxes →
