Book Description

Promote or revive your clients' abilities to solve problems, cope more effectively, improve communication and social interactions, and build their self-esteem with the formal and informal reminiscence strategies contained in The Past in the Present. Informed by a life span development perspective, this book offers you richly productive Themes and topics Multisensory triggers that stimulate recall Intergenerational activities Formats for constructing and recording the life story Techniques to unlock therapeutic barriers With these tools, you can help your clients to Tap into their creativity Experience meaningful life review Deepen their relationships with others and value themselves Shed feelings of isolation Become a reminiscence resource for others Internationally acclaimed reminiscence expert Faith Gibson seamlessly combines theory and practical approaches to help you ensure life satisfaction and successful aging in clients at any stage in life and in any setting, whether you are working with them individually, as a couple, or in a small group. Learn how people with dementia can benefit from using reminiscence. In addition, for the first time, this book elucidates how reminiscence can be used as a dynamic tool for staff development, improving the delivery of care by and skills of direct care staff. Practical strategies are enhanced by photocopiable forms and charts that assist in accountability, dozens of case examples from diverse populations and programs in the U.S. and abroad, a 20th century time line, an international resource list, and a comprehensive reminiscence bibliography. The Past in the Present is an essential reminiscence resource for nursing staff and paraprofessionals, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, activity directors, recreation therapists, professionals providing training programs for volunteers and family caregivers, community groups, and school and college programs providing community service and intergenerational outreach. Instructors in gerontology and related disciplines will find this an insightful, essential addition to their curricula.