CELEBRATING LIFE – GUIDED AUTOBIOGRAPHY (GAB) FOR OLDER PERSONS
Old age is a time of celebration of one’s longevity, life’s experiences and wisdom. Yet the reality for many of our seniors is low self-esteem, lack of social engagement and for some, depression.
As Singapore rapidly ages, the above is a scenario we do not want to see. As we invest in services catering to the physical and social fitness of our senior citizens, we are aware of the need to also focus on developing their intellectual fitness and purpose fitness. Intellectual fitness by keeping the mind engaged and active and purpose fitness through nurturing strong feelings of self esteem of having control over one’s life (1) . Old age need not be a time of loss, it can be a time of contentment and happiness, knowing they have done their best. It can be a time for sharing experiences and wisdom. And it must certainly continue to be a time for venturing out to fulfill dreams especially if these had been put on hold.
The Guided Autobiography (GAB), developed by Dr James Birren, one of American’s leading gerontologist, has proven to be a powerful tool in developing the intellectual of seniors. In a nutshell, the GAB is a semi-structured process of life review that incorporates individual and group experiences using reminiscence, narrative therapy and exploration of the inner psychological experience of the individual.
The benefits of GAB
Extensive research has been done on the benefits of life review and autobiography. Some of these positive outcomes as reported in Dr James E. Birren’s book ‘Guiding Autobiography Groups for Older Adults Exploring the Fabric of Life’ include:
• Sense of increased personal power and importance
• Recognition of past adaptive strategies and applications to current needs and problems
• Reconciliation with the past and resolution of past resentments and negative feelings
• Resurgence in past interests and activities
• Greater sense of meaning of life
• Development of friendship with other group members
• Ability to face end of life with a feeling that one has contributed to the world.
STRUCTURE OF GUIDED AUTOBIOGRAPHY GROUPS
The GAB programme offered by the TSAO Foundation involves 8-10 three-hour group sessions generally held on a weekly basis. The group size is usually between 10 and 12 participants with 1-2 facilitators from the TSAO Foundation.
There are three major components to the GAB group sessions:
1) A group general discussion around a specific theme with sensitizing questions to trigger the process of self awareness and life review;
2) Small group work during which participants discuss a specific theme at a deeper level; and
3) Individual work whereby participants document, either in writing or audio recording, their life review on a specific theme.
These themes include:
• History of the Major Branching Points in Your Life
• History of Your Family
• Role of Money in Your Life
• History of Your Major Life or Career
• History of Your Perception about Death and Dying
• History of Your Spiritual Life and Values
• History of Your Goals and Aspirations
Other themes can be added or subtracted depending on the profile of the participants.
GAB IN SINGAPORE
Several GAB groups have been conducted since its relaunch in 2004. These included sessions at Marine Parade Family Service Centre and the National Library. The programme is funded by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) as part of its Active Seniors Programme, and conducted by facilitators from the Hua Mei Training Centre of TSAO Foundation.
If your community group or organization is interested to organize GAB for your members, please contact Hua Mei Training Centre.
From Taxation to Art Appreciation
GAB helps retired tax manager discover her true interests
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(1) Four types of fitness are discussed by Dr. Robert Butler in his forward in the book ‘Guiding Autobiography Groups for Older Adults, Exploring the Fabric of Life’ by James E. Birren and Donna E. Deutchman, John Hopkins University Press, 1991
