A critical review and synthesis of literature on reminiscing with older adults.

Reminiscing is an intervention that has been used independently in nursing with different populations for many years. A critical analysis of the literature on reminiscing was carried out in 3 stages: identification of the studies to be included, review of the studies to ensure that they were research-based, and critical appraisal of the studies. The analysis resulted in clarity regarding the operational definitions of reminiscing and life review. Of the many studies reviewed, only a handful were research-based. The others were valuable in other respects, such as providing guidance for the design of imaginative and age-related reminiscing and life-review programs.