Reviving memories, revitalizing minds: The impact of group reminiscence therapy on well-being of elderly residents in care facility
Background and Objectives: Group reminiscence therapy has shown potential in improving the mental well-being of older adults. The present study aimed to assess the mental health of older adults in selected elderly care facilities in the urban part of north Tamil Nadu to evaluate the effectiveness of...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1519_24 |
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| Summary: | Background and Objectives:
Group reminiscence therapy has shown potential in improving the mental well-being of older adults. The present study aimed to assess the mental health of older adults in selected elderly care facilities in the urban part of north Tamil Nadu to evaluate the effectiveness of group reminiscence therapy and identify the association of their mental well-being with sociodemographic factors.
Methods:
Using a convenience sampling method, a quasiexperimental pretest–posttest study was conducted over a 6-week period. It included 30 participants from one elderly care facility for the experimental group and 30 from two other homes (12 and 18 participants, respectively) as the control group, all meeting specific inclusion criteria. During the first week, sociodemographic data of the participants were collected, and their mental health was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-12. Reminiscence therapy was provided to the experimental group from the 2nd to the 5th week. A posttest was conducted for both the groups during the 6th week to assess the participants’ mental health.
Results:
The experimental group showed a male preponderance from urban habitat, whereas the control group was dominated by women from rural background. The study revealed that most participants in both the experimental groups (26/86.7%) and control groups (29/96.7%) were distressed at the beginning of the study. Following the reminiscence therapy, twenty-three (76.7%) residents in the experimental group showed a significant and reassuring improvement in mental health.
Interpretations and Conclusions:
The distress identified during pretest underscores the significant mental health challenges faced by older adults. Reminiscence therapy has an important role in promoting mental health of older adults. This study reinstates the potential of reminiscence therapy in improving their quality of life. Longitudinal, community-based studies are required to extend the significance of the therapy. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-4863 2278-7135 |