Oral Life Review in Older Adults: Principles for the Social Service Professional

Abstract

The opportunity to tell one’s life story, share personal wisdom, and leave a spoken legacy for the future can be a powerful intervention for the well-being of just about any older adult. Social service professionals hear many stories from older clients, yet few take the time to pursue these to the level of a life review. Facilitation of the life review process is not “rocket science” but there is an art to it and important ground rules to follow. This chapter reviews the theoretical basis for “life review in aging” and introduces key concepts for professionals interested in incorporating a “life review sensibility” into their daily practice with older clients.

Appendix

Life Review Interview Guide

A life review interview can be both an enjoyable and a challenging experience. Many questions may be considered, but rarely would all be answered in a single sitting. Your comfort is of utmost importance. You don’t have to answer any question or delve into any area which causes you discomfort. You can expect your interview to last about 1–2 h.

As you prepare for the interview, consider how you have grown over the course of your life and the many things you have learned. This interview is an opportunity to learn about yourself, share your perspectives and values, and teach others at the same time.

The interview begins with three standard items (in italics below) that appear early in the edited Keepsake DVD:

• Looking at the camera, please say your first name (My name is______), where you were born/year (I was born in______ in 19______), your age (I am ______ years old), and where you live now (and I live in an apartment (house, etc.) in ______).

• What 3–5 characteristics or adjectives describe you the best? (example: I like to think of myself as honest, hard-working, caring, and inquisitive).

• Why did you volunteer to participate in this interview today? What do you hope to gain from this experience?

The remainder of the interview is loosely structured around the themes and questions listed below. Over the course of the interview, we do want to capture the general story of your life (birth, early life, school, work, etc.), and the interviewer will help structure this. The rest will depend on you and what’s important to you.

Most interviewees cover many/all of the themes below, but some in more depth than others. It is sometimes helpful to come prepared to your interview with notes (on this page is fine) or a listing of topics. The interviewer will ask you about important topics to cover (or not cover) at the start of the interview process. Since the interview is being video recorded, you can stop at any time and negotiate how to proceed.

• Your current life

  • Tell me about your current life and activities.

    • Who are the 2–3 most important people in your life now?

    • What is your daily routine like? What brings you joy?

    • What are the most challenging aspects of your life today?

• About you/past life

  • Tell me about your family of origin – parents, siblings.

  • What stands out in your memory about growing up?

  • Who were the 2–3 most important people in your life when you were young?

  • (If married or widowed) How did you and your spouse meet? What was your early relationship like?

  • What joys and/or challenges occurred during your married life?

  • (If you had children) Tell me about your child or children. What stands out in your memory about their growing up? What is your relationship(s) like today?

  • (If applicable) What did it mean for you personally to become a parent? How did parenthood mold you as a person?

  • We all experience losses in our life. Looking back at the first half of your life, what losses (deaths, other losses) stand out in your memory? What has grief meant in your life?

• Career and service

  • What paying jobs did you hold in the past?

  • Did you consider any as a career or vocation?

  • Was volunteerism a part of your experience, then or now? How so?

  • Did you serve in the military? If so, what branch and position? What was your experience like? Hold did it mold you as a person?

  • (If applicable) What impact did retirement have on your sense of yourself and personal security?

• Health

  • How would you describe your health today? Do you function in handling daily life tasks much as in the past, or are there limitations now?

  • Have health problems been challenges at other times during your life?

  • Have you ever experienced a period of significant anxiety or depression? If so, would you be willing to share a bit about this experience? What helped you through it?

• Caregiving

  • Have you served as a caregiver, now or in the past?

  • For whom did you provide care? For what reasons?

  • How does/did serving as a caregiver enrich your life?

  • What challenges do/did you face as a caregiver? What is/was the hardest part for you?

• Spirituality

  • What role has faith played in your life?

  • What are the roots of your faith? Has your faith changed over time.

  • What values do you hold especially dear or meaningful?

  • Has your faith helped you to overcome challenges and/or get through some difficult times?

• Death and end of life

  • How as death impacted the second half of your life?

  • What losses stand out as particularly meaningful or challenging?

  • What do you believe about death and what may come after?

  • Does death frighten you?

• Life review

  • On balance, are you satisfied with how you have lived your life?

  • Are there any significant regrets?

  • What 2–3 accomplishments are you most proud of? Why?

• Looking to the future

  • What do you expect the next 5–10 years to bring in your life?

  • What are your hopes for yourself and those closest to you?

  • If you could share just one piece of advice to enrich the life of a young person, what would it be?

• Other thoughts and comments