Most people know that dementia — especially Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia) — profoundly affects a person’s memory, identity, and ability to communicate. Since there are no medications that make a meaningful impact on the condition, we need to look at other ways of turning the disease around and recovering lost memories.
One such approach is Reminiscence Therapy (RT), which reconnects a person with positive past experiences for the purpose reigniting their self-confidence, rekindling hope, and promoting wellbeing.
The way that RT works is to encourage individuals to talk about their past, share life stories, and recall meaningful memories. To help trigger these memories, a friend, therapist or caregiver can use tangible prompts such as old family photos or videos, school pictures, music from the person’s younger years, memorabilia (souvenirs, tools they used in their work, letters, or newspaper clippings) and even familiar scents like a wife’s perfume. These prompts help evoke long-term memories, which are often better preserved in dementia than is short-term memory.
To further build on what is being recalled, the person with dementia and their carer can create a physical record of the individual’s life such as a photo album, printed book, or Memory Box filled with photos and meaningful objects. These can then then be revisited with family, friends and care staff on a regular basis. This is known as Life Story Work and it’s very helpful for new carers coming to look after a person because it immediately gives them context and background from which to start a conversation and better understand the person’s needs and preferences.
Beyond the immediate benefits of stimulating happy memories, RT reminds people of their strengths, engenders pride in overcoming past obstacles, and helps people preserve their selfhood. By recalling life stories, RT helps maintain connection to one’s identity, values, and meaningful life events. This can offer comfort, grounding and reassurance, which are critical for preserving brain function.
Talking about past experiences also exercises parts of the brain associated with long-term memory, language, and storytelling. This stimulation provides a mental workout and helps keep the brain active in enjoyable and uplifting ways.
Most importantly, sharing stories opens up a dialogue between people, and fosters a sense of belonging. It builds understanding and strengthens social bonds. These are some of the most powerful ways we can protect our brain from decline.
And this was Chris Hemsworth’s goal when he made his very personal and moving documentary: A Road Trip to Remember.
In A Road Trip to Remember, Chris turns the camera on his own family after his dad’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis. They embark on a motorbike trip into their past, exploring the science of social connection and how it can support memory function. They revisit meaningful places and faces, capturing it all as a home movie, and reviving treasured recollections. Here’s the link to the trailer.
I was privileged to attend a special preview screening of the film followed by a Q&A with Chris Hemsworth and clinical psychologist, Dr Suraj Samtani, at Home of the Arts (HOTA) on the Gold Coast last week. I highly recommend the documentary which premiered November 24th on Disney+.
Please share this Health-e-Byte with anyone who is struggling to connect with someone who has been diagnosed with dementia.
