Life review of an older adult with memory difficulties

Abstract

The natural life review process involves emotional processing of events from the individual's past. Life review therapy (LRT) addresses issues regarding unresolved conflicts, guilt and resentment which the client has particular difficulty in reviewing independently. People with memory problems may have difficulty mentally manipulating a number of pieces of information at the same time. Since LRT involves recollection of past experiences (events, emotions and relationships) which need to be processed and integrated with the person's current understanding, individuals with memory problems may find this process difficult, though not impossible. This article is written in order to demonstrate that LRT can be useful for people with memory difficulties, provided that individual sessions are tailored to their particular cognitive abilities. A case is presented of an older adult, with above-average intellectual abilities, who became distressed when recollecting her childhood. LRT was conducted in a manner that took account of the memory difficulties and utilized a variety of therapeutic techniques. LRT was beneficial for this client despite her memory difficulties, since, following therapy, she was no longer distressed when thinking about her childhood. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.