Zichronot (Remembrance): A reminiscence support group for older Jewish adults with depressive symptoms. A grant proposal

Abstract

Reminiscence therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on increasing social interaction in order to decrease depressive symptoms, such as feelings of loneliness and sadness. Because 75% of seniors (age 65 and above) experience some form of depressive symptoms often due to multiple and sequential losses at that time of life, reminiscence could be a beneficial tool for this age group in order to help alleviate these symptoms. The purpose of this project was to design a reminiscence support group for older adults who utilize the services at Jewish Family and Children's Services, Long Beach, California, and to develop a grant that would fund this program. The overall objective of this program is to increase socialization and positive coping skills and help decrease their ongoing depressive symptoms. Submission and or funding of this grant were not prerequisites for the successful completion of the project.