The Effect of Reminiscence Group on the Cognitive Status of Elders

Aging is not a disease but a personal– social experience, a critical and crucial process of human development and is considered as a natural process in life. Cognitive disorders of aging are a common problem which can be accounted for a very wide spectrum of aging disorders. This study was performed to examine the effectiveness of reminiscence groups on the elders’, cognitive status. This was a quasi- experimental study of time- series type. 45 elder people referring to day centers in Golestan Province were chosen using the available method and then were randomly divided into four groups which participated in 8 (1- 1. 5h) reminiscence sessions. Using a questionnaire, cognitive status of elders’ was evaluated before and after intervention. Data analysis was performed using spss v.14. The mean of the cognitive status, 24± 2 before the intervention and 25± 2 after intervention, showed a significant difference (P< 0.01). Using the information stated in the questionnaire, significant differences were observed in the cognitive status of the obtained results before and after the intervention (P< 0.01). According to the results, it can be said that reminiscence can improve the cognitive status of the elders’. Therefore, this effective, efficient, inexpensive and applicable therapy can be used in taking care of the elders’ or in the prevention of amnesia in them in care centers or at home.