Reminiscence Groups
Guidelines for starting your own reminiscence group.
Oral History and Reminiscence :: Reminiscence :: The Importance of Reminiscence :: Good Practice in Reminiscence :: Group structure and process :: Spatial Arrangements :: Preparation :: Duration :: Getting Started :: Props :: Ideas for Reminiscence Sessions
Oral History and Reminiscence
Oral history and reminiscence are not the same things. Oral history is the gathering of historical evidence in oral form, whereas reminiscence, although recalling the past, has more in common with social work. The purpose of oral history is to create a spoken record where none exists or to supplement existing records. It is primarily a record of language and of eyewitness accounts giving insights into society, its changing values and attitudes. In many instances, oral history gives a voice to those previously denied the chance to contribute to the recording of history.
Reminiscence
When we reminisce, we recall memories and recapture the emotions that went with them. All of us engage in this reflective process from time to time; it is a normal and vital part of growing older.
The Importance of Reminiscence
In later life reminiscence takes on a more significant role. This is how we get in touch with things and times that were important to us. Through reminiscing we maintain our sense of identity and build self-esteem. At a time when older people may feel vulnerable and isolated, recalling and communicating their memories helps to improve their emotional, social and sometimes physical well being.
Historically and in some traditional communities today, it is the elders who are custodians of culture, heritage, customs and traditions. By relaying family history, heritage and folklore, our society’s older people are fulfilling a natural and important role.
For the listener, reminiscence has many rewards. There is the satisfaction of being able to help someone, enjoy their stories and even learn from their experiences.
Anyone who has regular or repeated contact with the elderly can use reminiscence and the listener's role is two-fold:
- To encourage the older person to share memories
- To pay genuine attention to the PERSON REMINISCING as their memories unfold
Good Practice in Reminiscence
Group structure and process
It is important to get a good start to each session. For instance, start with refreshments such as tea, coffee and biscuits. This is a familiar habit and a common way for people to meet. It creates recognition and a sense of community, which helps all the members of the group to relax.
The composition of the group is of great importance and should be carefully considered. Some individuals have a tendency to dominate the group. People who dislike each other have a tendency to dominate each other or irritate each other and should not be put in the same group if at all possible.
It is also useful to have some participants whose memories are more intact. Such individuals can stimulate the other participants in a way that younger volunteers or staff cannot do by talking about old times and mutual experiences.
There will be differences between the group members when it comes to which part of life they remember. Some may only remember their childhood while some will have a clearer memory of later life. Others might only remember fragments from different times. It is important to consider this when structuring the group and try to create a group of people with common or complementary memories.Spatial Arrangements
Sitting around a big table makes it difficult to hear what is said at the far end, especially if some members have hearing difficulties. It is also harder to see the props if any are being used. A classic arrangement is to have people sat in a close circle around a small table. This highlights the group and not the table, creating informality and intimacy. This is of course easier to achieve with a small group of around six to eight people. A larger number of people will find it harder to hear everything that is going on and sub-groups will develop, making it harder for a single member of staff to manage the session.
Preparation
You have to decide what themes are to be discussed and what props should be used. This work should not be overdone however. It is very ease to create a stressful atmosphere if you know that you have to work through a certain number of subjects and triggers. There must be room to change themes spontaneously.
Duration
Each session should not last more than one hour. Even if some of the participants do not want to leave the session because they are enjoying it so much, the majority may become tired and unstructured after about an hour.
Getting Started
Often when starting a reminiscence group it is a good idea to have an informal first session. Ask each individual to chat a bit about themselves and their life history. This allows them to grow more comfortable with talking and allows the listener/staff member to gain some insight into what is important to the older person, whether it is work, family, religion or a combination of these things.
Props
When managing a reminiscence group, there are many ways to assist individuals
with memory impairment to engage in the group.
The use of props is invaluable and visual cues sometimes help to promote memories that can then be discussed. Particularly helpful tools are old photographs. They inspire all kinds of thoughts and memories. The props, whether photographs or objects, must be familiar to the participants in order to awaken their interest. Local and cultural differences must be taken into consideration.
Ideas for Reminiscence Sessions
- School Days – props could include apples, old textbooks, chalk and small chalkboards
- Music – props could include old songs played to the group at the start of the session and participants could be asked to share what time period in their lives the music reminded them of. This could start a discussion about dates, dances, weddings, etc.
- Locality – old pictures of the city you live and work in can promote recollections of lives spent in the community.
- Brainstorm – if group members primarily grew up in the same community, it may be effective to ask the participants to brainstorm and come up with a list of all the shops, restaurants, etc. that were on a particular street in the community during a certain time. This also works as an icebreaker for group members who are getting to know each other.
- Random Questions – asking participants to randomly choose open-ended questions from a hat is often an interesting approach to the group as there is usually much interaction around who got which question. The questions should be general enough for any group member to answer, such as talking about friends, family, holidays, etc.
- Major historical events e.g. the war – props could include ration books, old photographs from local newspapers.
- Food – smell is a powerful, often overlooked sense in reminiscence. Along with taste it can induce very strong memories and emotions. Props would be foodstuffs, fresh herbs, old magazine advertisements etc
This list simply gives a few examples, once you have held a few sessions it should be easier to think up original ideas.
Remember
There will be times when you have prepared for a reminiscence group only to find that the group is quite self-directed and guide the discussion themselves. It is important and often interesting to allow this to happen, but only if you can keep them focused.
There is always the danger that a session might deteriorate into a shouting match, a bragging contest or a gossipmonger's field day. For the benefit of the group this should be avoided if possible and the introduction of ground rules from the beginning is essential for effective class management.