Reminiscing ‘helps dementia sufferers’

Reminiscing with dementia sufferers with items and memories from their past can improve the quality of their lives and play an important part in their care and support, research at NUI Galway has found.

The trial, funded by the Health Research Board and led by Professor Eamon O’Shea of the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology at NUI Galway, was carried out over three years and involved some 300 dementia sufferers.

It was the largest trial of its kind internationally in the area of reminiscence therapy in long-term settings, and was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a reminiscence-based education programme.

It involved recalling an individual’s past memories and experiences, often through prompts such as photographs, music, and familiar household items.

“The results showed positive effects of reminiscence for people with dementia,” Prof O’Shea said.

“Reminiscence is increasingly seen as important in the care and support of people with dementia, given its potential to draw on early memories, which often remain intact for people with dementia, thereby highlighting the person’s preserved abilities rather than any cognitive impairment.

“While pharmacological interventions have been the mainstay of caring for people with dementia, increasing attention is being paid to the role of psychosocial interventions.”

He said the results of the trial confirmed the importance of a person-centred approach to the care of people with dementia in long-stay care settings.

“There are a range of psychosocial interventions, such as reminiscence therapy and art. Interestingly, there is reciprocity at play with the care givers, everyone gains through a more person-centred approach to care in long-stay settings,” he said.

It is estimated there are currently almost 50,000 people with dementia in the country, with approximately 4,000 new cases arising in the general population every year.

The cost has been estimated at just over €1.69bn per annum, 48% of which is attributable to informal care provided by family and friends to those living with dementia in the community.