Reminiscence therapy

A therapeutic intervention widely used with older adults and people with dementia that involves the structured recall and sharing of personal memories and life experiences, often supported by prompts such as photographs, music, objects, or — increasingly — digital technologies. Reminiscence therapy has documented benefits for psychological well-being, sense of identity, social connection, and reduction of depressive symptoms. In accessibility and HCI, technology-mediated reminiscence encompasses digital photo sharing, curated media experiences, and emerging applications of generative AI as conversational partners that elicit and help structure personal narratives. Effective reminiscence tools must account for varying cognitive abilities, emotional sensitivity around painful memories, cultural context, and the importance of positioning older adults as active narrators rather than passive recipients of curated content.