Blog > Using Reminiscence Therapy at Home to Support Alzheimer’s Care

Using Reminiscence Therapy at Home to Support Alzheimer's Care

Numerous challenges arise with Alzheimer’s disease, especially when memory loss intensifies. When this happens, it might be difficult to find opportunities for seniors and family members to interact and connect. Reminiscence therapy is a useful Alzheimer’s care technique to try because it uses the emotional and cognitive benefits of memories.

Understanding Reminiscence Therapy

Reminiscence therapy helps seniors with Alzheimer’s disease remember and discuss their past experiences. Long-term memories, which are frequently more intact than short-term memories, are accessed using this technique. Reminiscence therapy can help create meaningful conversations, lower stress levels, and elevate mood by concentrating on these retained memories.

Reminiscence Therapy and Emotional Health

Reminiscence therapy helps seniors feel connected to their past by giving them a sense of identity and continuity. As a result, they feel more at ease, and their feelings of worry or sadness are reduced. Additionally, talking about the past can boost cognitive function and help preserve language and memory for as long as feasible.

Because this technique focuses on connections, it also helps build stronger relationships, which is beneficial not only for seniors but for the family members caring for them. Finally, reminiscence therapy promotes social connection, which reduces isolation and gives seniors a sense of increased engagement and understanding.

Reminiscence Therapy at Home

With Alzheimer’s care in place, loved ones can learn about reminiscence therapy and how to incorporate it into everyday care activities at home.

Some examples include the following:

Use Images and Video: Looking through old photo albums of videos as a family can stimulate conversation. To encourage this, loved ones should pose open-ended inquiries like “Can you tell me more about this day?” or “What was your favorite memory with this person?” to gain more information about the people and events shown in the pictures.

Make a Memory Box: Family members can collect emotional objects, such as letters, postcards, jewelry, or vacation souvenirs, to create a collection of mementos. These items can act as concrete mementos of significant life experiences. Seniors will enjoy returning to the memory box time and again.

Connect Through Music: Music and memory have a strong bond. Playing old songs, especially ones from when the loved one was younger, might bring back memories and feelings. If they feel like it, family members can encourage them to dance or even just sing along. Additionally, discussing the song’s meaning, the lyrics, and any recollections is an effective reminiscence therapy tool.

Tell Stories: Another part of using reminiscence therapy for Alzheimer’s care is encouraging seniors to tell stories from their past. The stories could be about their early years, their career, or significant life events.

Alzheimer’s Care Gainesville FL – Using Reminiscence Therapy at Home to Support Alzheimer’s Care

Effective Reminiscence Therapy Tips

First and foremost, loved ones shouldn’t try to force or hurry the conversation. Instead, allow seniors to choose the pace and take the lead if possible. In doing so, however, painful memories might come up. Without rushing past those memories, allow seniors to feel the feelings and then encourage them to concentrate on happy memories as well.

The secret to reminiscence therapy is consistency. It’s important to make it a regular part of Alzheimer’s care in the home. Doing so can increase engagement and bonds each day.

Reminiscence therapy can significantly improve the quality of life for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Both loved ones and Alzheimer’s care can utilize the tips above to incorporate this technique for seniors aging in place.

Sources: https://homehelpershomecare.com/north-sd/community-blog/2018/january/how-to-bring-joy-to-seniors-with-dementia-throug/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/reminiscence-as-activity-and-therapy-97499
https://lottie.org/dementia-support/reminiscence-therapy-for-dementia/