The International Institute for Reminiscence and Life Review is a program in the Health and Human Issues division of the Center for Continuing Education/Extension at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. The Center sponsored the premiere National Reminiscence and Life Review Conference in 1995.

Major leaders in the field formed the International Society for Reminiscence and Life Review as follow up to that conference. The Society board of directors and interested participants have met at the 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011, Reminiscence and Life Review conferences sponsored by UW-Superior.

In order to formalize the group and make it available to participants from around the world, the original board of directors of the Society recommended the formation of the International Institute for Reminiscence and Life Review (IIRLR) following the 1999 conference. Analogous to a membership organization, the IIRLR enrolls participants each year who join each other and the advisory board in carrying out the mission and activities identified in the Institute Overview section.