Barbara Haight

Examining recent research and practice on reminiscence, life review and life story work, this book offers critical accounts of the rapidly growing and extensive global literature, and highlights the continuing relevance and effectiveness of these therapeutic methods. The book includes examples of international practical projects, involving people of all ages, life circumstances, and levels of physical and cognitive functioning. Contributions from contemporary practitioners and researchers give a nuanced appraisal of the methods of engagement and creativity arising from the purposeful recall of our personal pasts. Chapters include reviews of technology, ethical issues including end of life care, working with people with mental health conditions, and working with people with dementia.

Reminiscence, life review, life story, autobiography, etc., are popular activities undertaken with or by older adults, whether for personal or therapeutic reasons. The act of reminiscing takes many forms, often very freeform, but this book presents a specific, structured approoach that has been extensively researched and found to provide measurable therapeutic benefits. Haight's Life Review process involves eight one-hour sessions that are organized around Erik Erikson's eight developmental accomplishments, or life stages: trust (early childhood), autonomy and initiative (childhood), industry (early adolescence), identity (adolescence), intimacy (early adulthood), generativity (older adulthood), and integrity (old age). Some people have not achieved one or more of these goals over the course of their lifetimes and the Life Review process offers an opportunity to rethink experiences in a way that helps them achieve these goals through understanding and acceptance of the past. Although this Life Review process has been used effectively with teenagers and other populations, the target audience for this book is older adults, especially those who have had difficult lives, to help them achieve integrity, which is an acceptance of the life lived rather than despair over it. The book describes in detail the role of the interviewer (Therapeutic Listener) and of the Life Reviewer. A chapter is devoted to each session, describing goals and instructions for the session along with sample dialogue from actual listeners - reviewers that illustrate the types of experiences and responses that may be elicited. Much of the text focuses on methods to be used by Listeners to facilitate the reminiscence process, including communication techniques, counseling techniques, assessment techniques, and even how to arrange the physical space to maximize comfort and minimize distractions. Different types of participants are described and effective methods of interviewing them are offered, always with case study examples that demonstrate the techniques.

First pioneered by Irene Burnside, Working with Older Adults: Group Process and Techniques is now in its Fourth Edition, with new editors and many new contributing authors. By combining interdisciplinary theory and practice, this book introduces students to group work theories, and explains how to modify general theory to meet the needs of older adults, including those who are contending with particular physical and cognitive disabilities. In easily accessible style, with numerous case studies in varying settings (hospitals, nursing homes, residential facilities, day centers, and home care), Working with Older Adults emphasizes group development, structure, process, and evaluating outcomes.