Reminiscence as a Practice

At the end of life, patients and their loved ones often seek to put their lives into perspective through a focus on recalling important memories, feelings, or experiences.^* This becomes particularly difficult because people at the end of life can feel isolated and invalidated.^* Practicing reminiscence, based on tenets of reminiscence therapy, can help through stimulating the senses to begin conversations about experiences, relationships, values, and so on.^* Some benefits of reminiscence are that it can mitigate pain, dependency, and isolation.^* Further, it can provide fulfillment, comfort, and improvements to self-esteem^* as well as strengthening family coping skills when undertaken as a community^*

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Patients

Patients are not intended to undertake this practice alone. This reminiscence is more effective when it is initiated by a caregiver, a community member, or a healthcare provider. Patients can be an active member of this process by remaining open to sharing their thoughts and experiences.

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Caregivers

As a caregiver, you interact very often with your loved one. This is particularly helpful for reminiscence, as this practice becomes most effective when repeatedly engaged in separate, relatively short sessions (six to eight total of about one hour each).^* When possible, spread out your attempts to reminisce with your loved one and check in to make sure that your loved one has not become too fatigued to continue throughout the conversation.

Ask open ended questions. Even simple questions can help get your loved one started on reminiscence, such as “How are you getting along today?” Then transitioning to questions about his or her life will help open up the conversation. Make sure to ask follow-up questions if they seem appropriate
Try to ask about life from early childhood through adulthood. This will help uncover important, meaningful memories from all stages of development.^*
Throughout the conversation, practice active listening. This means hearing not to respond, but to understand what your loved one is saying and figure out what they need next.
Try to respond positively and show appreciation for your loved one’s thoughts and feelings
Do not shy away from silence. For many people, periods of silence can help them process emotions.
If you feel comfortable, and if this seems appropriate at the moment, share your own experiences
Try bringing photos, mementos, songs, food (if allowed), and so on to your loved one. Such objects and sensations can help stimulate memories and begin the reminiscence process.

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Community

Reminiscence becomes particularly effective when patients repeatedly engaged in separate, relatively short sessions (six to eight total of about one hour each).^* If possible, coordinate with your loved one's caregiver to make a plan on when to engage with your loved one. Make sure to check in that your loved one has not become too fatigued to continue throughout the conversation.

Ask open ended questions. Even simple questions can help get your loved one started on reminiscence, such as “How are you getting along today?” Then transitioning to questions about his or her life will help open up the conversation. Make sure to ask follow-up questions if they seem appropriate
Try to ask about life from early childhood through adulthood. This will help uncover important, meaningful memories from all stages of development.^*
Throughout the conversation, practice active listening. This means hearing not to respond, but to understand what your loved one is saying and figure out what they need next.
Try to respond positively and show appreciation for your loved one’s thoughts and feelings
Do not shy away from silence. For many people, periods of silence can help them process emotions.
If you feel comfortable, and if this seems appropriate at the moment, share your own experiences
Try bringing photos, mementos, songs, food (if allowed), and so on to your loved one. Such objects and sensations can help stimulate memories and begin the reminiscence process.

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Healthcare Team

Reminiscence becomes particularly effective when patients repeatedly engaged in separate, relatively short sessions (six to eight total of about one hour each).^* If possible, coordinate with your patient's caregiver and community to plan more spread out sessions. Make sure to check in that your patient has not become too fatigued to continue throughout the conversation.

Ask open ended questions. Even simple questions can help get your loved one started on reminiscence, such as “How are you getting along today?” Then transitioning to questions about his or her life will help open up the conversation. Make sure to ask follow-up questions if they seem appropriate
Try to ask about life from early childhood through adulthood. This will help uncover important, meaningful memories from all stages of development.^*
Throughout the conversation, practice active listening. This means hearing not to respond, but to understand what your loved one is saying and figure out what they need next.
Try to respond positively and show appreciation for your loved one’s thoughts and feelings
Do not shy away from silence. For many people, periods of silence can help them process emotions.
If you feel comfortable, and if this seems appropriate at the moment, share your own experiences

Collective Soul

The point of reminiscence therapy (and of this reminiscence practice) is to understand that a person’s experience and wisdom, no matter where they are in their lives, is important, meaningful, and valuable for both the person and the community. When this practice is done as part of the Collective Soul, and one person’s individual experience or wisdom becomes shared, it takes on a life of its own and can be applied or appreciated in different ways.

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