Reminiscence therapy with older adults

Reminiscence therapy is primarily focused on storytelling. Outcome variable s include life satisfaction, self-esteem, positive affect and mood, happine ss, well-being and socialisation. However, research relating to this approa ch has suffered from a number of methodological limitations. Gestalt remini scence therapy expands reminiscence to include such aspects as dealing with unfinished business, expressing feelings, enhancing contact, focusing on t he present and recognising the contextual dimensions of the lives of older adults. Members are provided with an opportunity for greater interpersonal communication and participation in a group process. The dynamic orientation of the approach supports the underlying assumption that psychological deve lopment can occur up to the point of death.