Guided Autobiography Groups With Turkish Older Adults: First Impressions

Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic, because of the restrictions for people over 65, the Fresh-Distance Projects (Taze Mesafeli Projeler) was initiated online in order to continue the learning processes of 60+ Tazelenme University students and to reduce the negative effects brought on by social restrictions. Fresh Autobiography was one of the projects that was held during the period April 2021-June 2021 with two Guided Autobiography Groups (GAB) with older adults. After defining the themes to be used, an announcement was released within the social media groups of Tazelenme University Students with a poster and applications collected via a Google Forms document. At the end of the application process, two GAB Groups were formed: a Wednesday Group with four participants  (three male; one female); and a Sunday Group with six participants (two male; four female). It was observed that participants found the GAB processs therapeutic, and it provided opportunities 1) to get to know each other, 2) for new subjects to talk with family members in their daily life, and 3) to gain new perspectives on their life experiences. Also, they requested to continue GAB groups with further themes. These findings parallel the GAB literature.