Impact of reminiscence therapy on self- esteem of residents of elderly homes

ABSTRACT

Reminiscence is the ability to recall long forgotten facts, people, events and feelings. The study aims to identify the impact of reminiscence therapy on self-esteem of residents of elderly homes in Alexandria. The study was carried out in all governmental homes for elderly persons in Alexandria. The sample comprised 55 elderly persons. They were interviewed individually to collect the necessary information using the questionnaire sheet. Reminiscence therapy was implemented on eight sessions using either the individual or the group method. During the different sessions, elderly persons reviewed their life stages starting from childhood to adulthood and made conclusion about their life. Self-esteem was measured immediately after the eight sessions and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months to determine the long-term effect of the therapy. Reminiscence sessions succeeded in improving elders' self-esteem and in decreasing elders' physical complaints such as insomnia, headache, anorexia...etc