Life review
The Psychosocial development theory is one of the social work theories that tent to have the relation to the life review therapy in the sense that it provides eight-stage theory of identity and psychosocial development articulated by a person.
The theory provides that everybody must pass through eight stages of development over the life cycle: hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom (Holosko et al, 2013).
Every stage is divided into age ranges from early years to older adults which are somehow directly linked to the breakdowns that life reviews will incorporate I their evaluations or assessments (Laidlaw, 2001).
Life review intervention is very useful when providing intervention to elderly people as it helps in reflecting on the client's life then gain insight or knowledge which is very vital in developing effective interventions for the elders.
Furthermore, this approach is directly aligned and related to the elderly people intervention as they have lived there life most hence providing the social worker with materials required for the effective intervention (Holosko et al, 2013). This intervention helps the elderly people with dementia, anxiety and long los of their loved one depression as it provides them with the chance to express themselves freely in their life review therapy.
The life review is important to elderly people intervention as the social worker and the family might learned or known new things that they never knew before that might be vital for intervention (Laidlaw, 2001). A social worker may also utilize life review therapy to go along with other medical treatments, such as taking medications to condense anxiety or depression level on elders.
1. Debra Hilson
Discussion -
Life reviews with the elderly or aging is a way to tell their life story and a way to pass on their traditions, beliefs, explained lessons of life, explain how to survive in difficult circumstances or can be used to explain why things have happened the way they have. Life reviews are also a way wisdom is passed down, usually from the older generation to the younger generation.
According to Haber (2006), a life review is typically structured around one or more life themes, most often family themes, ranging from ones' own childhood, to the experience of being a parent, to being a grandparent; and work themes, from first job, to major life's work, to retirement. Other commonly used themes, but by no means the only ones, are: major turning points; impact of major historical events; role of education, health, holidays, music, literature, or art in ones' life; experiences with aging, dying and death; and meaning, values, and purpose.
Reminiscing and life review is a proven way for older adults to gain self-worth, learn more about themselves, and give the gift of their stories to the next generation. Recalling life stories should be encouraged at any juncture in one's life, but primarily as people reach end of life.
According to Webster, & Haight, (2002), studies have shown that elder communities see remarkable results when reminiscence and life review is encouraged as it increases life satisfaction, improves resident/staff relations, reduces geriatric depression, decreases disorientation, improves social interaction, increases orientation, improves competence after relocation and increases a sense of purpose and meaning with the aging.
Beecham and colleagues (1998) speculate that life reviews allow institutionalized residents in particular an opportunity to gain a sense of control over their life story, in contrast to a lack of control over independence, medical decisions, and their institutional environment. Life review therapy has adults refer to the past to achieve a sense of peace or empowerment about their lives. Life review therapy can also promote improved self-esteem.
Therapists, social workers and mental health specialists may use life review therapy for groups or individuals. Group therapy can often lead to social bonding.
My preferred theory for life review would be Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development. Erikson viewed life review or reminiscence as vital to the task of stage eight, the stage associated with old age. Life review can help older individuals acquire ego integrity and avoid despair. A life review, according to Erikson, can help create an acceptance of one's one and only life cycle with few or no regrets (Haber, 2006).
According to Erik Erikson's theory on the stages of human development, achieving wisdom later in life involves revisiting previous crises and renewing psychosocial accomplishments. Erikson's theory on the stages of human development provides a framework for understanding older adults' interest and capability for engaging in self-management.
2. Gayle Koonce
A life review includes an ever expanding journey into memory land. When a life review is undertaken, these memories are re-evaluated in the hopes of making peace with the past. Whereas this journey is private, it also vastly differs by person. This life evaluation is believed to occur universally by people during the final years of their lives.
A positive in reminiscencing about life, is the storytelling. As memories and events are shared, family lore and tradition are passed from one generation to another. This has also been shown to boost the older person's self-esteem, Haber (2006). It is also useful in treating depression.
Life Review Therapy, also known as Reminiscence Therapy, makes use of reviewing a person's life. Gentle in treatment, at the end stage of life, a review of memories is used to help alleviate depression.
Stories of the "good old days", expose tales of forgotten strengths, joys, sorrows, and regaining of hope. By remembrance of positive times, self-acceptance and feelings of worth can be recaptured, Elements Behavioral Health (2012).
I believe Life Review Therapy puts past and current events in perspective. That when memories are reviewed, an elderly individual has the opportunity to see not only that they survived, but often times they thrived. It also reaffirms, they matter.