Reminiscing

Comic Book Reminiscing

Comic Books - what a great subject for reminiscing!  Whether you grew up glued to the pages of your favourite comic book, or you have never experienced them, you are bound to  discover some exciting storytelling!

Remembering Shirley Temple

The residents loved the remembering Judy Garland powerpoint presentation and asked if there was one on Shirley Temple.  I made one and thought I would submit it as these create great discussion and reminiscing.

5 Comments Member Activity

Have You Ever Game

A great game to get to know you residents, and see what you have in common! Similar to penny ante... see what other questions you can come up with!

7 Comments Member Activity

Guessing Game - Who Am I?

This is a wonderful reminiscing activity in a group setting. Guess the names of these famous people from the clues provided.

4 Comments

Remembering Judy Garland

I have put together a Powerpoint of slides about Judy Garland which I am going to show my group next week.  It has a bit about her life, some interesting facts and one of her quotes.

1 Comment Member Activity

Famous Faces Quiz

Choose 10 famous faces from the past (40's 50's 60's) from the following genres and let residents have fun guessing who's who and reminisce the old days!

2 Comments Member Activity

What Am I Quiz #3

A fun quiz for seniors that leads to discussion and reminiscing!

3 Comments Member Activity

Turntable Record Playing

We have a portable turntable and lots of records from back in the day, so I got a group of residents together for the afternoon. I gave them the choice of what they wanted to listen to but also chose a few to see if they could guess who was singing or what the song was called.

2 Comments Member Activity

Tree Reminiscing: What is a tree good for?

Prompt your clients to talk about the benefits of trees. Give them clues and encourage them to elaborate on their experiences.

What goes in here?

Quizzes are Great. But not everyone knows the answers. Suggest a well-known recipe and go around the circle and get the clients to share a thought.

6 Comments Member Activity

Something Someone Somewhere

An activity for creating conversation and also reminiscing. Can be done 1-2-1 or in a group.

6 Comments Member Activity

Journeys of my Life

I printed off the attached foot template and passed around the group. I asked them write down any countries they had visited in their life/or worked there...

3 Comments Member Activity

Movies of Yesteryear Quiz

Here's a fun movie quiz featuring well known movies and movie stars from the past. A wonderful reminiscing quiz for seniors!

3 Comments

Games We Played as Kids Quiz

A quiz about the games your clients or residents used to play and the toys they used. Play as a group, in teams, or to inspire reminiscence.

9 Comments Member Activity

Elvis Presley Quiz

Your residents will love this quiz all about Elvis! A wonderful opportunity for reminiscing and discussion.

Sweetheart Tree

We gathered pictures of residents with their sweetheart. Some were recent pictures, some were wedding pictures from long ago. Some were with their pet!

10 Comments Member Activity

Remembering 1966

Let's reminisce about what was happening in the world 50 years ago. Discover more interesting anecdotes that your clients remember and add to the list below. A wonderful reminiscing activity for seniors!

10 Comments

Famous Movies Quotes

Reminisce about movies of yesteryear with this fun quiz! In which movie would you hear the following phrases?

2 Comments

What Am I Quiz #2

A fun quiz for seniors that leads to discussion and reminiscing!

4 Comments Member Activity

What Am I Quiz #1

A fun quiz for seniors that leads to discussion and reminiscing!

3 Comments Member Activity

Real Estate Guess the Asking Price Game

Here is a fun game that will generate discussion and reminiscence! Get hold of some property brochures from your local real estate agent and hide the asking price. Show brochures to residents and discuss things like the number of bedrooms, garden etc. Ask them to guess the asking price!

2 Comments Member Activity

Reminiscing: How to Create a Memory Board

Residents downsize quite a bit to move into a care home. Help them reminisce about their past while you learn more about them by creating Memory Boards!

12 Comments Member Activity

Fads of the 1940s and 1950s

The 1940s and 1950s were decades of profound and lasting cultural change. There was plenty of trauma and upheaval but in this this article we concentrate on what was good and fun!

6 Comments

Guess the Celebrity Ages

We decided to create a guessing game for our residents and adapted it so that it could be used with a wide range of abilities. It was a really fun and easy to make activity, you can add celebrities that are well known in your area!

12 Comments Member Activity

Stick Figure Drawing & Storytelling

Drawing is a fun and interactive activity to pursue. Most people have done a little drawing or at least some doodling at some point in their lives. Offer clients the opportunity to revisit drawing as a pastime.

1 Comment

Read Aloud Activities for the Elderly

For the elderly who loved to read all their lives, listening to someone read to them can bring profound comfort and joy. Why not start a Read-Aloud Readers Group activity at your facility; a Book Club with a difference! Read-aloud activities are an intervention well worth pursuing.

24 Comments

Read-Aloud: Audience Participation Story

An audience participation story engages the audience in the story. It is a fun activity that promotes focus and creativity. Clients may repeat a word or phrase throughout the story: sing, gesture, or act.

8 Comments

Nursery Rhyme Quiz III

Depending on the age group, and of course personality traits, few have said they find them quite juvenile, and others love it and try to complete them... and are pleasantly surprised at , after all these years, how much they have retained!

3 Comments Member Activity

Scent Guessing

Sensory stimulation with familiar scents. A fun activity for seniors and the elderly living with dementia.

25 Comments

What's In the Bag

Chose a colorful bag, something that catches the eye, silk, or any other fabric that feels good to the touch. You don't want to be able to see through the bag. Find random objects, such as kitchen utensils, keys, padlock. Ideal reminiscing game for seniors.

11 Comments Member Activity

13 Reminiscing Themes for Seniors

Sharing and recollecting memories with seniors in long term care helps them to affirm who they are and maintain self worth.

11 Comments

Soap Making Recipe

This is a great activity for sitting folks around a table reminiscing, uses all the senses!

11 Comments Member Activity

Flower Smelling

I filled a vase with peonies and lavender and took it to as many residents as possible.

1 Comment Member Activity

Musical Bingo

Musical Bingo improves recall and provides opportunities to reminisce. It is also an enjoyable and sociable game. This game was created by a Music Therapist I worked with and it was very popular in our Dementia Care Unit. If you don't have time to put the game together, ask a volunteer to help you. All you need is a computer, a printer and a laminator. This activity includes downloadable song cards and calling cards.

12 Comments

School Days Reminiscing Cards

This is a wonderful game that can be adapted to any occasion. Residents will enjoy reminiscing and sharing stories.

24 Comments

Dance Hall Days Reminiscing

Dance Hall Days I did a reminisce session about the old dance hall days from the 1940's to 1960's in the UK and put together some questions. 

4 Comments Member Activity

Arm Chair Travel with YouTube

Something that has worked really well in my home is a program I refer to as arm chair travel. So many of the residents here have traveled around in younger years, and are now not able to do so.

5 Comments Member Activity

Puppetry for the Elderly

Joyous interaction with self and others is vital to health. I do not believe that puppetry is too childish for the aged.

3 Comments Member Activity

Old Occupations Quiz

Most of the following occupations no longer exist or are now known by different names. Clients may remember some other obscure occupations to add to this list!

2 Comments

Famous Faces

Download various faces of famous people, present and past. Show the residents the face and have them guess the famous face. We also have a little discussion on each person.

4 Comments Member Activity

Winter Campfire

Take a journey down memory lane by engaging each resident in sharing their experiences of camping or holidays they remember.

8 Comments Member Activity

Around the World

This is a wonderful interactive armchair travel activity for residents of all capabilities and great for one-on-ones or group sessions. Using a world globe and your ipad you can transport someone to another Country, talk about their culture, food, economy, music, lifestyle, dress, traditions, famous places, famous people, etc. It really is endless what you can discuss in these sessions.

3 Comments Member Activity

Down Memory Lane with Autograph Books

Traditionally, autograph books were small books with blank pages to collect personal messages and well-wishes from colleagues and friends. Revive this much-loved past-time of a bygone era with elderly residents!

4 Comments

Look & Listen

I invited & encouraged my Residents to bring along something precious to them, to our Activity Group.

8 Comments Member Activity

Fortune Fun

Have the residents write their own fortunes/lucky numbers on small pieces of paper. Then get them to help create the dough for the fortune cookies! These cookies can be used for dessert at dinner or as a snack. Either way, the residents will enjoy creating the cookies and sharing their words of wisdom with the rest of the community.

2 Comments Member Activity

Springtime Engagement

What makes spring unique for you? Do you like to be outside and feel the sun on your face? ffer opportunities for walking, and take time to enjoy the flowers and signs of spring.

2 Comments Member Activity

Items We All Lose

We had so much fun & great communication between residents as they thought they were the only one that had misplacing items. Every time a resident placed an item on the "list" others would comment that they have done the same.

4 Comments Member Activity

Brain Training

We often make mind maps during our brain training sessions. Anyway, we thought we would see how many daft/silly/funny/ songs we could come up with.

Member Activity

The Life and Tunes of X

We gather information about a famous singer that guests will know with some interesting facts.

2 Comments Member Activity

Reminiscing with Vintage Photos

Vintage photos from yesteryear provide wonderful reminiscing opportunities for the elderly living with dementia. Remembering the past helps the elderly affirm their lives and uncover deep-seated memories.

12 Comments

Names & Surnames Reminiscing Activity

The origins and meanings of names attract a lot of interest and are a wonderful subject for reminiscing with clients.

4 Comments

United States: Reminiscing About Life in 1915

Some statistics from the year 1915.
Only one hundred years ago!

7 Comments

Australia: Reminiscing About Life In 1915

One hundred years ago Australia was only 14 years out of federation; a very young nation indeed! Let’s reflect on how things were different in 1915.

13 Comments

Hats & Headgear Game

This is a fun game and reminiscing activity for seniors!

5 Comments

Campfire Theme Social

Let's bring the outside inside. The responses that I have gotten from the residents have all been positive. The campfire brings back some good memories of family times, cottage life and being on a farm.

2 Comments Member Activity

Match Pictures with Shows

Here's a fun visual reminiscing quiz for seniors - match the images with the tv show or movie they belong to!

2 Comments

Read-Aloud: Open-ended Story

Open-ended stories provide a creative way to engage clients in a story. Read a short story where the ending in inconclusive or incomplete. Clients may speculate how the story can continue, or how the problem can be solved. Write client answers on a white board and read them out at the end of the activity.

2 Comments

Read Along Books for Dementia Residents

Read Along books for dementia residents

10 Comments Member Activity

Magazine Collage

Great activity, calming and encouraging discussion and creativity. It really has been very therapeutic for the residents to create.

5 Comments Member Activity

Friendship Day

I asked the residents to bring along anything they had which reminded them of a friend. It was quite amazing the effect the activity had on the residents.

2 Comments Member Activity

First Aid Fun

We had a lot of fun with this. I printed off some simple first aid techniques & some old fashioned remedies.

3 Comments Member Activity

Reminiscence - Childhood Nursery Rhymes

Nursery Rhymes from the 1930s to Sing, Discuss & Reminisce about.

6 Comments Member Activity

Brand Names and Slogans Quiz 2

Match the Slogans of Yesteryear on the left with the Brands on the right. Suitable for people who grew up in North America. Quiz 2!

3 Comments Member Activity

Brand Names and Slogans Quiz 1

Match the Slogans of Yesteryear on the left with the Brands on the right. Suitable for people who grew up in North America. Quiz 1!

1 Comment Member Activity

Armchair Travel: A Sensory Experience for Seniors

Armchair Travel takes people to faraway places without leaving home. It provides a sensory experience and the opportunity to learn about exotic lands and important past events in a meaningful manner. This is a wonderful activity for seniors living in nursing homes and suitable for people with dementia.

32 Comments

Nursery Rhyme Quiz II

Nursery Rhymes are a good topic for conversation and reminiscing for people with dementia. Take your time when doing this quiz and encourage clients to sing and share memories.

1 Comment

Reminiscing Activities for Seniors

Reminiscing with the elderly is a wonderful way to validate the lives of individuals and provide seniors with a sense of purpose, especially those living with dementia. Reminiscing activities also encourage social interaction and promote interpersonal skills.

29 Comments

Yesteryear Song Quiz

Sing the next line of these songs... This quiz includes prompts for a reminiscing session.

2 Comments

Reminiscing: The Early Days of Black & White T.V

6 people share their memories of how they were first introduced to television. Use this as a starting point to generate your own discussion and reminiscing session.

5 Comments

Spring Reminiscing

Spring reminiscing for the elderly. After months indoors, encourage residents to breathe-in and enjoy the fresh air of spring!

Engaging through discussion and music

In the United States, there have been some events and happenings that are etched in people's long term memory.

3 Comments Member Activity

How to Conduct a Reminiscing Session

Encouraging seniors to recollect and share memories is a stimulating mental activity. It promotes good social interaction and strengthens friendships. Wonderful and touching stories may be derived from this activity.

5 Comments

Summer Reminiscing

Summertime elicits memories of ice cream, movies, the beach, and early work experiences from when we were teenagers.

Winter Reminiscing

Ideas for a Winter Reminiscing Session. Reminiscing is a simple story-telling activity where a group of people share memories.

4 Comments

Wedding Photo Guessing Game

Wedding photo guessing game

9 Comments Member Activity

Remembering the clothesline

You have to be a certain age to appreciate this one.
I can hear my mother now...

14 Comments

Virtual Camping

Take your residents on a virtual camping trip!

13 Comments Member Activity

Reminiscing: I remember my Dad

Encourage residents to reminisce with some questions about their own fathers or male role models.

8 Comments

Stories Out of a Hat

Another way to engage residents and reminisce in a group setting. Thank you for this idea Anjanie!

11 Comments Member Activity

Friendship Afternoon

Freshly baked bread, a cup of tea and the opportunity to reminisce. A wonderful social activity for the elderly.

8 Comments Member Activity

Mothers Day Reminiscence

Here is a lovely reminiscing activity with photos to enjoy on Mother's Day.
Thank you Debbie for this activity idea!

2 Comments Member Activity

Beach Reminiscing

The theme for this reminiscing session is: The Beach.
18 sample questions are provided.

8 Comments

Tactile Reminiscing Ideas

Here are some ideas to encourage residents to use their fine motor skills and reminisce at the same time. Thanks Joanne!

5 Comments Member Activity

Worlds Teachers Day Reminiscing

There are many ways to reminisce on World Teachers' Day; here are some suggestions.

Dream Weaving

An inspiring program to transform dreams into reality.
Another wonderful idea submitted by Ron. Thank you Ron!

6 Comments Member Activity

Armchair travel with Google Maps

Use Google Maps and the Street View option to take your resident's back to their original homes or on tours of famous World landmarks! It's almost standing room only as residents are now bringing in their children's addresses along, staff are also showing us their abodes.

12 Comments Member Activity

Herbal Scent Tea Party

Try inviting relatives for this activity; it is an enjoyable occasion.

Potato Peeling Competition

Reminisce about familiar skills and have fun with this potato peeling competition!

Story Book Reminiscing Activity

Celebrate International Children's book Day with this story book activity.

3 Comments

Reminiscing on Mother's Day

Validation of feelings. Stimulate memory.

Nursery Rhyme Game

Memory recall and reminiscing

6 Comments

My Father's Profession Game

This is a wonderful reminiscing activity that will engage men in a social setting.

2 Comments

Waltzing

Fun exercise and opportunity for social interaction.

1 Comment

Ladies Discussion

Reminiscing and mental stimulation through socialising

10 Comments

Storytelling

This is a wonderful one-on-one activity for the elderly, including those living with dementia. It promotes memory recall and reinforces self-worth by validating their past lives.

2 Comments

Daily Living Activities

Engagement of residents in tasks they used to do in their own home. A very calming activity. Ideal for people living with dementia.

20 Comments