DOI: 10.1002/alz.

076555

DEMENTIA CARE PRACTICE

POSTER PRESENTATION

DEMENTIA CARE PRACTICE

Reminiscence therapy and dementia care in the Pacific island of

Guam

Iain K. B. Twaddle Nikolas Jude Gutierrez

University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam

Abstract
Correspondence Background: Persons living with dementia often find it easier to remember experi-
Iain K. B. Twaddle, University of Guam, ences from long ago—including memories from their youth and early adulthood—than
Mangilao, Guam.
Email: psychology@triton.uog.edu to recall recent events, such as what they did that week or even earlier that day.
As a result, trying to navigate the present can be stressful and overwhelming, while
reminiscing about the past can be a comforting experience. Connecting with valued
memories from the past often helps persons living with dementia maintain their iden-
tity, preserve their sense of self, and enhance their overall quality of life. Reminiscence
therapy was developed as a way to achieve these benefits by engaging older adults in
the exploration of cherished memories to improve cognitive functioning and psycho-
logical well-being. In recent years, reminiscence therapy has become an effective and
popular approach to providing therapeutic support for persons living with dementia.
Method: Training in reminiscence therapy was provided to family and professional
caregivers in the Pacific island of Guam through a weekly online support group. Train-
ing sessions were designed to help caregivers learn to use reminiscence therapy with
persons with dementia in culturally sensitive ways reflecting the oral storytelling
traditions of Pacific island cultures. Session topics addressed: (1) the benefits of rem-
iniscence for persons with dementia, from maintaining memory health to building
confidence and self-esteem; (2) guidance from local writers and historians on how to
talk with older adults about their life histories, including questions to ask and ways to
evoke favorite memories; (3) the use of historical photos from Guam as conversation
starters for older adults with memory loss; and (4) sharing stories about growing up in
Guam in the 1930s, ’40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s, along with readings from memoirs based on this
period.
Result: Participants reported highly positive experiences with implementing reminis-
cence therapy with persons with dementia in their care. The techniques helped persons
with dementia to relive beautiful memories and to share these memories with their
families.
Conclusion: Program outcomes indicate that online training in reminiscence therapy is
an effective way to teach caregivers skills to promote memory health and psychological
well-being for persons living with dementia.

Alzheimer’s Dement. 2023;19(Suppl. 20):e076555. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/alz © 2023 the Alzheimer’s Association. 1 of 1

https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.076555