ABSTRACT

This article presents an overview of the reminiscence concept and the results of intervention studies in reminiscence therapy on the elderly and the dementia. Reminiscence is thinking and talking about one’s past. it is a composit mental process with involves psychological, emotional, and social interaction aspects. Reminiscence therapy contribute to psychological adaptation by improving of self-esteem, self-integration and life satisfaction and increasing emotional support, activity of daily living adaptation and coping skill on the elderly and the dementia.Depression, anxiety of death, disability and pain were decreased through reminiscence therapy.Especially, communication was improved and behavioral problem was reduced in patients with dementia. Reminiscence therapy are effective method on psychosocial aspects of the elderly with or without disability and it expected to have potential as a therapeutic activity in the field of occupational therapy.