Reminiscence groupwork and autobiographical memory as part of meaningful activities

Andrew P. Allen; Mary Lee  Tully; Desmond  O’Neill; Richard A.P.  Roche

doi:10.1921/gpwk.v30i1.1548

Authors

Andrew P. Allen Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin. Formerly Department of Psychology, Maynooth University
Mary Lee Tully Peamount Healthcare, Newcastle, Co Dublin
Desmond O’Neill Tallaght University Hospital / Trinity College Dublin Trinity Centre for Health Sciences
Richard A.P. Roche Department of Psychology, Maynooth University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk.v30i1.1548

Keywords:

groupwork, group work, memory, older adults, reminiscence

Abstract

The current paper describes a reminiscence group activity session held as part of meaningful activities engagement for older adults. Topics of reminiscence included both autobiographical memories and memories of broader historical events from the past. Participants included those with memory impairment and those without, and participants with healthy memory were helpful in prompting memories in participants with memory impairment. Semantic and episodic autobiographical memory were assessed at baseline and following the end of both group activities, using the Episodic Autobiographical Memory Interview (EAMI) and quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life AD-scale (QOL-AD). The reminiscence intervention did not significantly affect autobiographical memory recall or quality of life. However, oral reminiscence was reported to have increased outside of the reminiscence sessions.

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