Synopsis:
Reminiscence, life review, life story, autobiography, etc., are popular activities undertaken with or by older adults, whether for personal or therapeutic reasons. The act of reminiscing takes many forms, often very freeform, but this book presents a specific, structured approoach that has been extensively researched and found to provide measurable therapeutic benefits.Haight's Life Review process involves eight one-hour sessions that are organized around Erik Erikson's eight developmental accomplishments, or life stages: trust (early childhood), autonomy and initiative (childhood), industry (early adolescence), identity (adolescence), intimacy (early adulthood), generativity (older adulthood), and integrity (old age). Some people have not achieved one or more of these goals over the course of their lifetimes and the Life Review process offers an opportunity to rethink experiences in a way that helps them achieve these goals through understanding and acceptance of the past. Although this Life Review process has been used effectively with teenagers and other populations, the target audience for this book is older adults, especially those who have had difficult lives, to help them achieve integrity, which is an acceptance of the life lived rather than despair over it.The book describes in detail the role of the interviewer (Therapeutic Listener) and of the Life Reviewer. A chapter is devoted to each session, describing goals and instructions for the session along with sample dialogue from actual listeners - reviewers that illustrate the types of experiences and responses that may be elicited. Much of the text focuses on methods to be used by Listeners to facilitate the reminiscence process, including communication techniques, counseling techniques, assessment techniques, and even how to arrange the physical space to maximize comfort and minimize distractions. Different types of participants are described and effective methods of interviewing them are offered, always with case study examples that demonstrate the techniques.
Review:
"This thorough book ... reflects decades of author experience with the life review process through the use of real-life, non-sugar-coated examples. It provides an up-to-date and essential training tool that promotes ethical and consistent methodological approaches for incorporation in life review research and practice."-- (01/01/2001)
"A terrific book - the best I've seen that captures the essence of life review."-- (01/01/2001)
"The principles of this life review process would uniquely apply to the end-of-life character of hospice care ... the prevailing characteristic of hospice is to administer palliative care and comfort to the patient in the remaining few weeks and days of his life. [The Structured Life Review process can] help the patient face the reality of his or her pending demise and oftentimes, in doing so, help guide the patient to achieve 'closure' on certain troublesome and unresolved concerns.... [This book] will undoubtedly benefit many."-- (01/01/2001)
"Clearly written, comprehensive in scope, evidence-based and useful for both health professionals and the lay public ... an essential guide for anyone interested in the Structured Life Review, recognized as a rewarding tool to help others review and evaluate their life journey."--Jean D'Meza Leuner, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.E., Professor and Dean, College of Nursing, University of Central Florida (01/01/2001)
"Life stories not only provide windows on the past, they open doors to the improvement of lives.... this book brings much experience to guide those who are in a position to assist older adults to improve their lives [with Structured Life Review]... excellent vignettes from real lives with real problems help train the therapeutic listener."-- (01/01/2001)
"This is a long awaited text, the first handbook on conducting Structured Life Review and written by the major pioneer in this field."--Peter G. Coleman, Ph.D., Professor of Psychogerontology, University of Southampton, England, UK (01/01/2001)
"An extremely readable and practical guide ... rich with examples from years of research on the use of life review, the authors demonstrate that this process can be rewarding not only for the listener but also the individual reflecting on and evaluating the lived experience."--Barbara J. Edlund, R.N., Ph.D., A.N.P.-, Professor College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina (01/01/2001)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
