Crafts as Memory Triggers in Reminiscence: A Case Study of Older Women with Dementia

Abstract

This case study explored the benefits of crafts as memory triggers in reminiscence sessions with older women in residential care who had severe symptoms of dementia and had enjoyed crafting as a leisure activity during their lifetime. Three structured reminiscence sessions, involving different kinds of handicrafts, craft material, and craft tools, were used to trigger memories and offer multisensory stimuli. Thematization, quantification, and theory-based reasoning were employed for content analysis. Multisensory triggers activated nonverbal and verbal reactions, sustaining attention and prompting interaction and nonverbal communication. The most interesting triggers stimulated recall of forgotten, pleasing craft experiences.

Spiritual reminiscence therapy for older people with loneliness, anxiety and depression living in a residential aged care facility, Malaysia: The effectiveness and older people’s experiences

“…These findings support those of previous studies, which have suggested that triggers in RT can improve social engagement with other people (Pollanen & Hirsimaki, 2014) and assist in memory recall (Chao et al, 2008;Hanaoka et al, 2011). Several different triggers were found useful in previous studies.…”

“…The use of human senses increases, helping them to recall certain memories or events (Pollanen & Hirsimaki, 2014). Importantly, triggers may also make the program more interesting and pleasurable.…”

“…The objective of adding the triggers in the program is to assist older people to remember past events. Triggers promote personal interaction and help participants to concentrate on the topic (Pollanen & Hirsimaki, 2014).…”

Awareness in severe Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review

“…The number of participants varied considerably across studies, with a median sample size of 11 (range 3-77). Nine studies were defined as high quality (Avondino & Antoine, 2016;Beach et al, 2015;Conde-Sala et al, 2013Magai et al, 1996, P€ oll€ anen & Hirsim€ aki, 2014Starkstein, Jorge, Mizrahi, & Robinson, 2006;Swall, Ebbeskog, Lundh, & Fagerberg, 2015), seven as moderate quality (Asplund, Jansson, & Norberg, 1995;Asplund, Norberg, Adolfsson, & Waxman, 1991;Biringer, Anderson, & Strubel, 1988;Biringer & Anderson, 1992;Bologna & Camp, 1997;Mayhew, Acton, Yauk, & Hopkins, 2001;Tappen, Williams, Fishman, & Touhy, 1999) and five as low quality (Grewal, 1994;Lancioni et al, 2013Lancioni et al, , 2015Mangone et al, 1991;Yokoi, Haraguchi, Hashimoto, & Okamura, 2012).…”

“…Nine of the 21 studies provided evidence for awareness at the level of sensory registration (Asplund et al, 1991(Asplund et al, , 1995Beach et al, 2015;Lancioni et al, 2013Lancioni et al, , 2015Magai et al, 1996;P€ oll€ anen & Hirsim€ aki, 2014;Swall et al, 2015;Yokoi et al, 2012). All nine examined behavioural responses to stimuli while two had the addition of physiological measures (Asplund et al, 1991;Beach et al, 2015).…”