Holding meetings at VASLHCS had many benefits. Participants could schedule medical appointments on the days the group met, thereby reducing transportation demands. Other veterans often contributed to the program, which increased the festive, social nature of the meetings. For example, one veteran, who practiced piano as part of his regular therapy, played Take Me Out to the Ballgame at the beginning and end of the meetings. Veterans who were on site for appointments or social events helped greet the participants in the parking lot and escorted them to the meeting room. The VASLHCS provided a safe, familiar environment in which the veterans and their caregivers could congregate and conduct other business as needed. Also, holding the meetings at VASLHCS reinforced that group members had 2 things in common: They were baseball fans, and they were veterans.
Conclusions
The baseball reminiscence support group helped promote camaraderie among veterans. This pilot project helped determine the feasibility and interest of the participants and volunteers and provided the following insights:
- Baseball reminiscence may appeal to men who do not feel comfortable in other types of support groups
- Properly trained facilitators were critical to the program
- Volunteers kept veterans engaged and promoted input from everyone
- Meeting reminders and follow-up calls kept caregivers apprised of activities
- Baseball is just one sport that can be used by a reminiscence group. Any sport that has a local fan base will provide volunteers and a core of interested veterans
- Memories of sporting events are traditionally exaggerated and rewritten as part of the social process, so there is no shame in forgetting facts or mixing up games
Support programs are often used with the hope of providing an improved QOL for participants. To document such outcomes, large, controlled, longitudinal studies are needed. Many patients with dementia and depression are unable to participate in these studies because of failing physical health, failing cognition, and caregiver fatigue. Pilot studies such as this one provide examples of social interventions that are not scientifically proven to be effective but are perceived to be of value by all involved: the veterans, their families, the volunteers, and the facilitators. This type of therapy provides a low-cost, social intervention and an opportunity for improved QOL and fun for veterans.
Author disclosures
The author reports no actual or potential conflicts of interest with regard to this article.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Federal Practitioner, Frontline Medical Communications Inc., the U.S. Government, or any of its agencies. This article may discuss unlabeled or investigational use of certain drugs. Please review the complete prescribing information for specific drugs or drug combinations—including indications, contraindications, warnings, and adverse effects—before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.