The theme for this reminiscing session is: The Beach.
This is one of many free activities.
Golden Carers has 1000s of activities and resources for senior care.

The beach is a wonderful topic to reminisce about.

You can use these reminiscing questions in group activities or during 1:1 interactions. You could also print them and put them on dining room tables as conversation starters.

Remember, reminiscing is all about using open-ended questions to get a conversation going. Steer clear from any question that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” in order to get more of a story from your residents.

  • Tell me about your favorite beach to go to as a child
  • What type of beaches did you go to when you were a child?
  • What was your favorite bathing suit and why?
  • Did you ever load your kids into the car to road trip to a beach? Tell me about that.
  • What do you remember most about summer days? (Heat, ice blocks, burnt shoulders?)
  • What is your favourite thing about being at the beach?
  • What type of sand castles did you like to make?
  • What did you pack in your bag for a day at the beach?
  • The fresh air opens appetites; what did you eat at the beach?
  • What was your kids’ favorite thing to do at the beach?
  • Did you ever go to the beach during the wintertime? Why?
  • How would you describe the smells of the beach?
  • Tell me about your favorite beach toy.
  • Describe a perfect beach day
  • What songs do you remember from those days?

COVID-19 Adjustment: You can have a Beach Question of the Day that you pass out to residents. Use their answers to create a Beach Buzz newsletter that you pass out at the end of each week or at the end of the month so they can enjoy one another’s stories.

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Comments   Post a Comment

maria fe p. vencer 15th Nov 2022
these may can be additional inputs to me for my seniorcare
Gillian 15th Aug 2022 House Wife
I love this site, and I am very grateful for all the activities.
I have found them to be so helpful. Thank you so very much

Gillian Bull
Voluntary worker.
Talita 15th Aug 2022
Thank you so very much for your feedback Gillian!
Rachel 10th Aug 2020 Activity Coordinator
Hello. I've recently joined, I am very interested in reading about the activities people are doing when working with residents with dementia as an activity coordinator. I very happy to get tips. Thankyou. X
Susan 11th Aug 2020 Activity Director
Hi Rachel
Here are some activities for those with dementia
https://www.goldencarers.com/dementia/
SandrA 7th Jul 2020 Retired/carer
We did the seaside activity yesterday it worked really well. We had mocktails and because it was all pretend even my husband who shudders at anything new was willing to try it. Thank-you so much for this brilliant website. We try to do something every day, the volcano of bicarb and vinegar didn't work for us my husband thought it was going to explode and no ammount of reassurance could help, because he has dementia, once he gets a thought in his head you cannot shift it.
Camelia 12th Jun 2020 Activities Coordinator
Hi everyone! In July or August we plan our 'Beach week', with different activities, daily. We start with postcards' day to offer everyone the possibility to write cards to friends and families. I created my own sensory box with sea shells and sand. Also a non expensive paddling pool helps. Imagine a pair of sunglasses, a hat, your feet in water, music, while enjoying ice cream . Thematic lunch in the garden is an easy & wonderful idea also. For us is a successful week with a variety of different activities for everyone to enjoy.
Susan 5th Feb 2020 Activity Director
If you are working with those who have dementia might be better instead of asking a question say tell me about
Dianne 25th Jan 2016 Recreation Program Assistant
I work at dementia specific facility.....an activity I like to do every summer that gets everyone involved in is....find how many things you would find at the BEACH starting with "s" ......think we found over 100 last year about to try this activity again next week to see if we can break that record ! It is also fun to talk about the answers ...reminiscing .
Dianne ...Ballarat
Julie 4th Feb 2020 Lifestyle Officer
I do this too Dianné...I also ask to give me 20 things you would find at the beach. It's fun especially with the dementia residents
kay 15th Dec 2015
Great site and good for thinking back to the days when we were young very good for the brain to keep it working
Jodie 13th May 2015 Residential Care
I absolutely love this sight. I check my emails everyday hoping to see one from here.............. The information and activities are the best, I use them all the time :):):):):)
Faith 12th Apr 2015 Diversional Therapist / Lifestyle Assistant
I have just joined today, and I am so looking forward to learning new & exciting things I can do with my residents I have only just finished my studies and after completing my placement / working casual for 4 months I was offered a job at a sister facility and official start as the main person Mon to Wed tomorrow so I am loving getting some ideas Thanks everyone!!
Ann 7th Sep 2014 recreation
I have just found this site, what great ideas you all have .
Josephine our residents are going to love your idea i thought about bringing some shells and sand in and maybe a colourful beach unbrella not opened of cause.
Sadhna 12th Jul 2014 recreation therapist
It is a good idea i will certainly have a session on beach reminising,
Your web gives me great ideas each month! Keep up the good work.

Many thanks Sadhna
tina 7th May 2014 recreation therapist
Tina 7th May
Thank you for this great activity. I will be using this with my beautiful residents in the near future. Thank you for your comment Josephine. Your ideas just adds to the whole atmosphere of being at the beach. I have just joined Golden Carers today and I am very excited about sharing ideas with people in the same industry. Keep the great ideas coming!!!!
Josephine 4th Feb 2014 Lifestyle Manager
This is fantastic, as luck would have it, we are organising a reminiscing session, complete with Sunhats, Icecream and Lemonade ! I have some sea shells and an old brownie box camera (courtesy of my mother in law) that we can look at. The questions posted about the beach and being in the sun will save me so much time !! I will have to add some sand and rod & reel to the goodies !!
I am a new member to Golden Carers and I am using your site already !!
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