Life Review Study: An Opportunity to Increase Quality of Life and Personal Meaning for Older Community-Dwelling Adults

Abstract

Aims

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a life review intervention on older adults’ self-perceived ratings of quality of life, depression, and mastery.

Methods

A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative data was gathered via a pre-posttest design. Qualitative data was gathered regarding participants’ perceived value of the life review program.

Results

A Wilcoxon signed rank sum test indicated that one item on the WHO-QOL BREF (modified) had a significant change, indicating fewer negative feelings after the life review intervention. Six themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1) Nostalgia; (2) Reflection; (3) Appreciation; (4) Proliferation of additional memories; (5) Sharing in similar experiences with others; and (6) Gratefulness.

Conclusion

Results indicated that participation in a five-week, home-based, life-review intervention program has the potential to improve self-perceived quality of life and sense of personal mastery for older adults sheltering at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords:

• Life review
• occupational therapy
• quality of life
• older adults
• COVID pandemic

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.