Reminiscence and Life Story Work - 9781849051514

Reminiscence workers come from backgrounds including community development, health and social care, adult and youth work, and oral history. Those who can benefit from reminiscence work include people with sensory and learning disabilities, dementia, depression, and terminal illness. In this introduction for professionals from all backgrounds, Gibson, president of the Northern Ireland Reminiscence Network, offers a detailed guide on individual and group reminiscence work with people of all ages, in residential or community settings. The book begins with a chapter on growth throughout the life span, then explains what reminiscence work is and the rationale for using it. The rest of the book outlines techniques for planning, conducting, and ending reminiscence work and using it with different populations, including ethnic minorities. One chapter is devoted to staff development, evaluation, and research issues. Learning features include chapter outcomes, key points, and application exercises. An appendix provides forms. Gibson teaches social work at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)