Reminiscence Therapy to Reduce Depression among Elderly

The diminishing joint family system in India and various other social factors created a boom in emergence of old age homes, especially in cities. The elders are considered financial burdens on the families and therefore unwanted, unloved and uncared. Social isolation and loneliness commonly accompany depression in adults over 65 years. India poised to become home to second largest number of elderly. Projected number of elderly above 65 years of age will be 86.7 million by 2050. 974 million is total worldwide senior population over age 65 by 2030, as projected by the Census Bureau of 2010. Depression is a common problem among older adults. Studies have found that about 15% of those over age 65 experience symptoms of depression that cause them distress and make it hard for them to function

Developing a structured reminiscence therapy programme, Assess and Compare the pre-test levels of depression among elderly in experimental group and control group before reminiscence therapy, Assess and Compare the post test levels of depression among elderly in experimental group and control group, Compare the pre-test and post test levels of depression among elderly between experimental group and control group. Associate the post test levels of depression among elderly in experimental group and control group with the selected demographic variables.

Mean post test depression Scores will be significantly higher than the mean pre test depression score among elderly, Significant association of post test level of depression in experimental and control group with their selected demographic variables.

The research approach used in this study is quantitative approach and the research design is quasi-experimental pre-test- post-test design. The Structured Questionnaire to elicit Demographic Variable and Geriatric Depression Scale were used as tools of data collection. Descriptive and Inferential Statistics were used in terms of mean median, standard deviation “t” test and chisquare test.

The mean and standard deviation of post test level depression among elderly in experimental group and control group depicted that, the mean value of 9.63 with SD 1.99 and the mean value of 15.3 with SD 2.23 of post test levels in control group projects ‘t’ value as 27.6 which is Statistically significant at P =0.001 level.

The overall findings suggested that the majority of old age persons had mild depression. Reminiscence therapy was effective in reducing depression among old age persons.