Clear and concise, The Handbook of Structured Life Review synthesizes 30 years of research and practice using the Structured Life Review process. Structured Life Review is a one-on-one therapeutic technique that guides people in reflecting on their lives from early childhood to the present. This approach allows individuals to learn from past experiences, settle unresolved issues, and ultimately achieve a state of life acceptance. Participants benefit from increased life satisfaction, reduced depression, and the opportunity for reconciliation, acceptance, and serenity.
Following this user-friendly handbook, Structured Life Review sessions can be easily led by professionals and nonprofessionals alike: social workers, counselors, activity staff, or even volunteers. The book thoroughly explains the role of the Therapeutic Listener and describes useful counseling and communication techniques. Step-by-step goals, instructions, and sample dialogue for eight separate sessions provide the blueprint for conducting life reviews. Handy appendices include assessment tools and a Life Review Form with recommended questions for each session.
Structured Life Review is appropriate for people of all ages, including older adults in senior centers, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing centers, and home settings. The approach is especially beneficial for individuals experiencing stress, undergoing major change, or coping with grief or a traumatic event. Additionally, Structured Life Review not only fulfills current requirements for meaningful activities but meets the criteria for short-term therapy covered by Medicare and other insurance providers.
Barbara K. Haight, Dr.P.H., is Professor Emeritus at the College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina. Now retired, Barbara conducted 8 research projects over 25 years developing the structured life review process and supervised numerous students and colleagues in the practice of life review. She was the first president of the International Life Review and Reminiscing Society and has conducted hands-on life review projects in the United States, England, Japan, and most recently Northern Ireland. She is co-editor of two books on reminiscing and life review, plus one on group process, and is widely published in the field of life review and gerontology.
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“A terrific book – the best I’ve seen that captures the essence of life review.”
-Robert N. Butler, M.D., President and CEO, International Longevity Center-USA
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“Clearly written, comprehensive in scope, evidence-based and useful for both health professionals and the lay public … an essential guide for anyone interested in the Structured Life Review, recognized as a rewarding tool to help others review and evaluate their life journey.”
-Jean D’Meza Leuner, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.E., Professor and Dean, College of Nursing, University of Central Florida
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“Life stories not only provide windows on the past, they open doors to the improvement of lives.… this book brings much experience to guide those who are in a position to assist older adults to improve their lives [with Structured Life Review]… excellent vignettes from real lives with real problems help train the therapeutic listener.”
-James E. Birren, Ph.D., Dean Emeritus, Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California
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“This thorough book … reflects decades of author experience with the life review process through the use of real-life, non-sugar-coated examples. It provides an up-to-date and essential training tool that promotes ethical and consistent methodological approaches for incorporation in life review research and practice.”
-John A. Kunz, M.S., Founder and Manager, International Institute for Reminiscence and Life Review, Center for Continuing Education/Extension, University of Wisconsin – Superior
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“This is a long awaited text, the first handbook on conducting Structured Life Review and written by the major pioneer in this field.”
-Peter G. Coleman PhD, Professor of Psychogerontology, University of Southampton, England, UK
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“An extremely readable and practical guide … rich with examples from years of research on the use of life review, the authors demonstrate that this process can be rewarding not only for the listener but also the individual reflecting on and evaluating the lived experience.”
-Barbara J. Edlund, R.N., Ph.D., A.N.P.-B.C., Professor College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolin
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“The principles of this life review process would uniquely apply to the end-of-life character of hospice care … the prevailing characteristic of hospice is to administer palliative care and comfort to the patient in the remaining few weeks and days of his life. [The Structured Life Review process can] help the patient face the reality of his or her pending demise and oftentimes, in doing so, help guide the patient to achieve ‘closure’ on certain troublesome and unresolved concerns.… [This book] will undoubtedly benefit many.”
-Dean J. Patenaude, M.B.A., Past President and Former Board Member, Treasure Cove Hospice, Stuart, Florida