<![CDATA[Introduction: Older adults are vulnerable to depression as their physical, psychological, and social abilities decline with aging. This study analyzes the effect of reminiscence therapy using memory books on depression in older adults. Method: A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest and control group was used at an integrated health care center (Posbindu) for older adults with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms (GDS-15 score 5–11). A total of 60 older adults, 30 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group, aged 60 to 70 years, were selected using purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria: active at the posbindu, able to read, write, and communicate verbally, and in good physical health. The intervention group received reminiscence therapy using a memory book, delivered in five 30-minute sessions held twice weekly over three weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Depression was measured using the GDS-15 scale before and after the five sessions, then analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in depression scores (GDS-15, score range 0–15) in the intervention group, from 8.27 to 6.70 (p = 0.000), while the control group showed no significant change, from 7.63 to 7.73 (p = 0.599). Conclusions: Reminiscence therapy using memory books is effective in reducing depression among older adults at Posbindu. By guiding older adults to recall and document meaningful past experiences, this therapy fosters a sense of purpose and ego integrity, which eases the feelings of despair that underlie depressive symptoms.]]>
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