Purpose:
To provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, education, and dissemination of research and best practice among life story practitioners, researchers, and others with interest in the Life Story field.
Meeting: Wed Sept 10, 2025 at 1pm EST
We focused on sharing experiences and research related to reminiscence practices in gerontology, emphasizing collaboration, community engagement, and the importance of collective memory for older adults.
Several members discussed their ongoing research projects related to memory, aging, and community engagement.
The importance of collective memory in enhancing well-being among older adults was emphasized throughout the meeting.
We were able to enjoy a guest talk by Dr. Jessica Robbins-Panko, Associate Professor. Institute of Gerontology and Department of Anthropology, Wayne State University with the topic of “The Sociality of Reminiscence in Late Life”. She conducts ethnographic research on reminiscence among diverse older adults in Metro Detroit. Thank you, Jessica!
Takeaways
Findings reveal gender and racial dynamics influencing memory sharing in residential care settings. Nostalgic reminiscence often overlooks historical racial inequalities and individual experiences. Institutional gatekeeping affects research access, emphasizing the importance of volunteering and building trust. Future projects will create group reminiscence programs emphasizing shared identities and collective histories.
Participants often welcome opportunities to share their life stories, valuing reminiscence programs.
Several members of this group were able to meet in person at GSA during the Life Story and Reminiscence Interest Group meeting on Friday night during the conference. A lively discussion was held on various projects being carried out and concerns for the field including grant funding opportunities.
Meeting: July 9th, 2025 11:00 am EST
Recording: https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/uconn-cmr/ldr.php?RCID=e865036d8bb868ff1e8a66e14db19f80
Meeting: May 7, 2025 4:00 pm EST
Inaugural Meeting Summary: March 5th, 2025
Fifteen life story enthusiasts participated in our inaugural meeting. Participants were from across the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan representing 5 time zones. The group consisted of academic researchers and educators, clinicians, ethnographers, and product and service innovators. A needs assessment was conducted to assess participants areas of interest and goals for participating in the collaborative. Participants shared interests for professional development in life story approaches to enhance health outcomes in older adults including end-of-life, safe practices with culturally diverse and underrepresented groups, networking and resource sharing, and disseminating work to advance and draw attention to the field. Suggestions for future meetings included specific guest speakers and topics such as use of artificial intelligence, brain research, practice methods, and funding mechanisms. Positive comments were shared about the meeting and future directions for this group.