Life Review

While the use of reminiscing about one’s life may not seem a particularly therapeutic approach, the use of life reviews has been found to be correlated with life satisfaction (Haight, 1992) and positive mental health outcomes (Westerhof, Bohlmeijer, van Beljouw, & Pot, 2010). The spontaneous and informal sharing of one’s life story to provide younger generations insight into history is an age-old tradition that, according to Haber (2006), has diminished recently under the shadow of the technical age. In response, practitioners have “found” this tool in the therapeutic process. There have been several theories used to support the integration of this intervention. You will be asked to identify and assess a theory you believe best fits this approach to working with the elderly.

For this Discussion, review the Haber article.

· Post your choice of a theory that best aligns with the use of a life review and why. 

· Explain how you believe life review can be a useful intervention when working with elderly clients.

References (use 3 or more)

Browne, C. V. (1995). Empowerment in social work practice with older women. Social Work, 40(3), 358–364. 

Holosko, M. J., Skinner, J. F., Patterson, C. A., & Brisebois, K. (2013). Intervention with the elderly. In M. J. Holosko, C. N. Dulmus, & K. M. Sowers (Eds.), Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions (pp. 197–235). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Laidlaw, K. (2001). An empirical review of cognitive therapy for late life depression: Does research evidence suggest adaptations are necessary for cognitive therapy with older adults? Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 8(1), 1–14. 

Haber, D. (2006). Life review: Implementation, theory, research, and therapy. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 63(2), 153–171. 

Monod, S. M., Rochat, E., Büla, C. J., Jobin, G., Martin, E., & Spencer, B. (2010). The spiritual distress assessment tool: An instrument to assess spiritual distress in hospitalised elderly persons. BMC Geriatrics, 10, 88.