“What are the positive and negative aspects of life review? (Word count 278) What are the benefits of belonging to a self-help group? (Word count 259) How might stereotypes affect the provision of care? (Word count 260)”

Life review is the process of actively partaking and encouraging, for its positive therapeutic properties (Open University 2014a), the acts of reminiscence and recall of a service users past life experiences and choices. This can be carried out through discussion with a family member or carer and result in the creation of a “life history book” in which the service user collates photos and stories relating to their past (Open University 2014b).

For many this process can be viewed in a very positive way particularly dementia sufferers as Dementia Uk (2015) cites Thompson (2011), with benefits of retention of their sense of self, being cited (Open University 2014c), improved interfamily relationships (Open University 2014d), and improvements in general to the service users sense of well being (Open University 2014e) including enhancements to mood (Open University 2014f).

There ar…(short extract)