Table 7.
Overview of Qualitative Findings
| Qualitative Findings | Quote | Papers Included in Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Theme 1 Program processes | “I think you guys said that we should see them once a week, but I think that’s too close. So I was giving the clients two weeks apart” (Allen et al, 2016, p. 363).42 “the point of being here is that we are allowed to share our stories” (Chonody & Wang, 2013, p. 87).6 “find everybody’s level, as an individual, and you have just got to try and work things in to suit each person. I can understand whereabouts to come in, where to sit back, where to interject on a subject and change a subject” (Tolson & Schofield, 2012, p. 66).47 “You will notice if it’s not engaging them they will go silent or just smile … but if they’re smiling they’re fairly happy … you just try and provide as many varied things as possible and hope that you spark something” (Sass et al, 2021, p. 2179).46 |
[6,14,42,46,47] n = 5 |
| Theme 2 Program ingredients | “the reminiscence was so powerful to these women …[the music] brought it out for them … I think several of them were incredibly surprised that the music was as powerful as it was at helping them remember their life stories or talking about and sharing” (Somody, 2010, p. 219).14 “For some people … who might have problems communicating and cannot just jump in [with comments] … they love having a go at darts and they do archery … some of them would rather forego the bit of chat at the start and just crack straight on with the activities” (Sass et al, 2021, p. 2177).46 “thinking about the past to prepare for death makes me depressed” (Shellman et al, 2011, p. 352).8 |
[6,8,14,43,44,46–48] n = 8 |
| Theme 2 Program ingredients: Subtheme 1 Drawing on the past | “We are not only able to go back and talk about old memories and things that happened years ago but also we can compare those times with these times”. (Chonody & Wang, 2013, p. 88)6 “[we] came from …oppression, racism, poverty, you name it, but we went on … make us feel proud, and when I think of our old people, the sacrifice that they’ve made for us … that’s the memories I have”. (Osmond & Phillips, 2018, p. 572).45 “When I decided to meet with you I felt there could not be much to talk about. I was wrong. I really enjoyed the meeting with you—especially recalling so much about the cars”. (Anderson &Weber 2015, p. 478)43 “This was so different … when I first came in here I said he is going to start talking and asking me a bunch of stupid questions. I was wrong. Now, I have a whole new knowledge about myself with reminiscing”. (Shellman et al, 2011, p. 352)8 |
[6,8,14,43–48] n=9 |
| Theme 3 Program Benefit: Subtheme 1 Relationships with others | “Many of the people here are just like family to me. This is one group that I truly enjoy. And all the [volunteers]. They are just marvelous people. I like how they treat us as people, not just old folks”. (Chonody and Wang, 2013, p. 88)6 “I do not have time to go out and socialize because I nurse my wife, who is not able to speak and eat by herself. I am very lonely with no one to talk to. I enjoy having responses from folks”. (Kanayama, 2016, p. 280).44 “Participants frequently checked to ensure that neighbors had seen an object being passed around; residents also showed each other how something worked or explained what the parts of an object were. They gave advice about using the object and demonstrated actions for their peers” (Smiraglia, 2015, p. 242)48 |
[6,8,14,42,44–48] n=9 |
| Theme 3 Program Benefit: Subtheme 2 Improved sense of self | “It [the class] allowed me to express myself verbally and also in written papers. I like this because it gives me information on how to express myself” (Chonody & Wang, 2013, p. 87).6 “If we didn’t think anything of ourselves before, we do now. We’re walking out of here with a brand new knowledge of ourselves. We are very special people, this age group … if people only realise what we know” (Shellman et al, 2011, p. 352).8 “she could share about her own personal growth, which to me is the most brave thing … I felt like she left much more empowered, much more positive, than she came”. (Somody, 2010, p. 222).14 |
[6,8,14,42,44,46,47] n = 7 |