Marci Rodriguez works as the director of an assisted living facility. She and her staff are concerned about a 89 year old man who has recently moved into the home showing signs of early dementia. He no longer drives and has recently given up most activities he previously enjoyed, such as golf, bowling and Bingo, due to balance, hearing, and sight challenges. He appears to be depressed and anxious since moving and stays in his room, avoiding social contact and activities that the home offers.

Marci recognizes that many of her clients struggle with similar sets of early adjustment problems. To help newly arrived residents get to know one another and adjust to assisted living, she wonders if there is scientific evidence that life review and reminiscence support groups are effective informal interventions for depression and dementia.

She has no social workers or counselors on staff, but has a training budget allocated for skill building. She searches online databases at her local college library for evaluative studies on whether life review and reminiscence reduce depression, stimulate memory and improve social interaction among staff and residents.