Date of Publication

2023

Project Team

Jason Garbarino DNP, RN, GERO-BC, CNL

Abstract

Purpose: Many older adults report feeling lonely, with rates even higher for residents in long-term care facilities. Group reminiscence therapy is an intervention proven to improve a variety of psychosocial outcomes in older adults, including loneliness. The aim of this project was to implement and evaluate a reminiscence therapy program at an assisted living facility, with a goal of seventy percent of participants reporting program satisfaction and increased feelings of connectedness with others.

Methods: A group reminiscence therapy program consisted of weekly, 60-minute sessions over the course of six weeks. There was one in-person group in addition to one telephone-based group of four to six participants each. An after-program survey was utilized to measure program satisfaction and feelings of connectedness. Sustainability was promoted by delivering a six-week reminiscence therapy toolkit to activities staff at the project site. The toolkit was provided to additional facilities to promote outreach and establishment of similar programs.

Results: One hundred percent of participants (n=10) responded that they were satisfied with the program. Seventy percent responded that the program helped build meaningful relationships and increased feelings of connectedness.

Conclusions: Both in-person and remote group reminiscence therapy are feasible in this population and may have positive effects on psychosocial wellbeing and connectedness among assisted living residents. Future quality improvement initiatives may repeat this study to demonstrate feasibility and positive effects in similar or varied settings, as well as investigate whether structured reminiscence therapy has effects on feelings of connectedness over the long term.

Document Type

Project

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Available for download on Thursday, May 01, 2025

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