Spiritual reminiscence is a way of communicating that acknowledges the person as a spiritual being and seeks to engage the person in a more meaningful and personal way. This practical guide teaches carers how to facilitate engaging and stimulating spiritual reminiscence sessions with with older people, and particularly with people with dementia.
After reading this guide, carers will understand the many and varied benefits of spiritual reminiscence, and will have developed the skills, confidence and communication techniques needed to support people with dementia in this activity. The authors present in accessible terms the evidence-base to support the benefits of the approach and provide clear, step-by-step instructions for facilitating spiritual reminiscence sessions, including useful suggestions for ideas and questions to stimulate discussion.
Intended to be used either as a self-learning tool or as a basis for staff training sessions, this will be a valuable resource for staff in care homes and day centres, activity coordinators, pastoral and spiritual care professionals, clergy and spiritual leaders.
Elizabeth MacKinlay is a registered nurse and an Anglican priest. She is Director of the Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies at St Marks National Theological Centre, Canberra, and a Professor in the School of Theology, Charles Sturt University. Elizabeth was Chair of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing in 2008 and is the ACT Senior Australian of the Year for 2009.
Corinne Trevitt is a registered nurse and Academic Associate Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies in the School of Theology, Charles Sturt University, Australia. Corinne has worked in Australia and the United Kingdom and has a background in nursing, research and teaching with an emphasis on issues of ageing. Corinne has published in the areas of spirituality for older adults with dementia and clinical teaching strategies.
Preface. Part 1. Learning about working with people who have dementia: communicating, story, spirituality and spiritual reminiscence. 1. Spiritual care. 2. Dementia. 3. Communication. 4. Reminiscence work. 5. Spiritual reminiscence. 6. The process of small group spiritual reminiscence. Part 2. The weekly sessions of spiritual reminiscence. 7. Week 1 Life-meaning. 8. Week 2 Relationship, isolation and connecting. 9. Week 3 Hopes, fears and worries. 10. Week 4 Growing older and transcendence. 11. Week 5 Spiritual and religious beliefs. 12. Week 6 Spiritual and religious practice. Appendix 1. Group topics for spiritual reminiscence. Appendix 2. Spiritual reminiscence and older people, a small group process: Information for intending participants, staff and families. References.
An outstanding book that demonstrates spiritual reminiscence can be highly successful in giving meaning, hope and perspective to people living with dementia in ways not traditionally thought possible. This is an invaluable resource for facilitators, providing guidance for each session. It challenges the facilitator to explore their own spirituality to ensure they are able to journey with others.
