"I can't work without the family," says Dawn Lakasmani, of Dallas-based Seniority Counseling. "But families are often overwhelmed by caregiving."
Lakasmani uses several different reminiscence therapy techniques with both her impaired and non-impaired clients.
"I often work with people, especially men, on getting back in touch with feelings of control and mastery," Lakasmani says.
Frequently, the clients tell her things they would never share with the family. "I worked with one man who was a highly decorated war hero, and yet his family knew nothing about this side of his life," she said.
Lakasmani uses reminiscence techniques to "let the patient go where he wants to go."
For caregivers, senior life story telling and gathering has been shown to reduce stress. And, the telling and sharing of stories enables caregivers to have a better understanding of client leading to improved care.
Reminiscence therapy leads to more and better communication, as well as a closer bond between residents in care facilities. In addition this type of activity may often surface problems that might otherwise remain undisclosed.