Reminiscence and life review: Explaining the differences

The differences, similarities, and commonalities in reminiscence and life review are described by highlighting differences in goals, theory base, the nurse's role, and the client's role.

Abstract

Although the terms reminiscence and life review continue to be used interchangeably in the literature, they are separate interventions. This article describes the differences, similarities, and commonalities in these two nursing interventions by highlighting differences in goals, theory base, the nurse's role, and the client's role. The implementation process and the desired outcomes are also differentiated to move forward nurse's understanding of these two important nursing interventions.