A critical review and synthesis of literature on reminiscing with older adults
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Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Memory Enhancement
Published on: September 18, 2021
Diane Buchanan1, Ann Moorhouse, Lucy Cabico
1Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Reminiscing is an intervention that has been used independently in nursing with different populations for many years. A critical analysis of the literature on reminiscing was carried out in 3 stages: identification of the studies to be included, review of the studies to ensure that they were research-based, and critical appraisal of the studies. The analysis resulted in clarity regarding the operational definitions of reminiscing and life review. Of the many studies reviewed, only a handful were research-based. The others were valuable in other respects, such as providing guidance for the design of imaginative and age-related reminiscing and life-review programs.
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