Reminiscence and life review: analysing each concept.

Gerontological nurses are currently using life review and reminiscence with clients. The terms are used interchangeably in practice and in the literature as though both were the same modality. Much confusion has resulted from lack of definitions of the modalities. Therefore, potentially effective nursing interventions are neither clearly understood nor correctly operationalized. This paper presents an analysis of each modality in an effort to clarify differences and further elucidate the current usage of them as concepts in nursing practice.