ABSTRACT
Butler further suggests thaI the life review process which has been
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When participating in movements that remind them of past mastery experiences, confused patients often appear more alert and organized. The reminiscing seems to stimulate immediate, if shortlived, cognitive reorganization. One art therapist who gives assignments that encourage reminiscing has similarly observed that the old function better when they remember their younger, better functioning selves (Dewdney. 1973). Hellebrandt (1978) noted that senile dementia patients who did not respond to reality orientation did participate in a group activity involving reminiscing. When these patients were given notebooks entitled. "This Is My Life," Hellebrandt observed. "it seemed remarkable that so much background material could be extracted from individuals who rarely if ever spoke spontaneously."
