Reminiscing

The Lost Art of Letters

Writing and receiving letters in the mail seems ancient today. However, everyone loves a bit of snail mail! Consider reigniting the love of letters throughout your community by planning a few activities over the course of a week or month.

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Conversations Starters

Questions to arouse conversation!

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Let's Fly a Kite Social

Host a Let’s Fly a Kite Social for your residents, or turn this into an intergenerational activity by inviting family to participate on a weekend. Kite flying is fun for all ages, which makes this social a hit no matter who participates.

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11 Garden Club Activities

If your community doesn’t already have a Gardening Club or residents, this time of year is a great time to start one. Remember, not everyone in the Club needs to have a green thumb - everyone can learn from one another!

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Reminiscing: Books We Read As Children

Organize a reminiscing session to discuss childhood books. Have fun recalling favourite enduring characters, and the wise life lessons they taught us.

Match the Books with their Authors

Draw a line to match the Books with their Authors!

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Nursery Rhymes Quiz 4

In the UK it was World Nursery Rhyme Week from the 19th – 23rd November, so I put together a Nursery Rhyme Quiz.

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10 Interview Questions to Celebrate Women

March is International Women's Month, and the perfect time to honor and recognize the amazing stories your woman residents have to tell.

15 Popular Proverbs & Their Origins

Generate conversation by saying these phrases and asking residents what they think each one means.

Wedding Week

We held a vow renewal week for a couple. The couple was thrilled.  Everyone had a great time.

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Match the Brand Name to it's Logo

Clients are given a paper with pictures of logos with it's name on the opposite side. Clients should match the logo to it's name.

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Hot Cocoa Bar Inspiration

There are plenty of reasons to throw together a festive hot cocoa bar this month, and it’s always a hit with guests young and old alike. Here’s everything you need to get your hot cocoa bar tradition going.

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Holiday Sensory Box Inspiration

So much of the holiday season is sensory! Unlock memories and encourage relaxation by using scents, sights, and sounds of the season with any of these holiday sensory kits. 

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Remembering Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a defining event of a generation and residents will certainly remember it and appreciate a moment to honor it on the day.

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Gratitude Journaling Prompts and Starters

November is the ideal time to harness the excitement about counting blessings and start habits that some of your residents could continue for the months to come.

Favorite Moments on TV Reminiscing

Gather a group of residents for this fun activity; prompt them with questions; encourage them to re-enact or verbally describe the moments.

Line Drawing for Seniors

This activity can enhance participants observation skills, and strengthen hand-eye coordination. Pablo Picasso was considered a master at this medium among others.  His animal line drawings are breathtaking in their simplicity.

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My Favorite Teacher Reminiscing

Childhood reminiscing provides validation and assurance for people living with dementia. Most people had a favourite teacher growing up and most would not have had the chance to say thank you to them.

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What Am I Quiz #4

A fun quiz for seniors that leads to discussion and reminiscing! What Am I?
After each riddle ask: What am I?

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My Life Timeline

This activity is excellent for reminiscing and it is suitable for residents with Dementia and Alzheimer's where the long term memory is preserved. It is most suitable for one-to-one sessions but it can be done as a group activity as well if the residents can fill the document by themselves or if you have support from volunteers.

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3 Minute fudge

Residents love to reminisce about their days baking for their families and I've found a lot used to make fudge and love this simple recipe! They request we make it every couple weeks.

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Dear Teacher Poem

Two beautiful poems for school days reminiscing. One from the point of view of a parent sending her son off to school for the first time; the other from the point of view of his teacher.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Client - Eco Map

When we have a new Client attend our Day Respite Centre I use the Eco Map idea as a great way to gather useful information specific to the Client. This activity is very useful for our Clients living with Dementia or have STML.

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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!

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What Am I Quiz #3

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

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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.

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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.

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Something Someone Somewhere

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

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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...

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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!

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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.

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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!

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Remembering 1966

Let's reminisce about what was happening in the world 53 years ago. Discover more interesting anecdotes that your clients remember and add to the list below. A wonderful reminiscing activity for seniors!

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Famous Movies Quotes

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

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What Am I Quiz #2

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

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What Am I Quiz #1

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

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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United States: Reminiscing About Life in 1915

Some statistics from the year 1915... more than 100 years ago!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Nursery Rhyme Quiz 2

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.

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Scent Guessing

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

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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.

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How To Structure Reminiscing Sessions 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.

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10 Ways to Celebrate World Television Day

The activities suggested below are from the wonderful days of black & white TV, however you may extend the session by adding colour TV reminiscing.

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.

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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.

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Soap Making Recipe

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

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Remembering the clothesline

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

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Flower Smelling

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

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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.

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School Days Reminiscing Cards

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

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Beach Reminiscing

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

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My Father's Profession Game

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

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Winter Campfire

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

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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.

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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!

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Look & Listen

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Life and Tunes of X

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

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Names & Surnames Reminiscing Activity

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

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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.

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Hats & Headgear Game

This is a fun game and reminiscing activity for seniors!

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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.

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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.

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Read Along Books for Dementia Residents

Read Along books for dementia residents

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Magazine Collage

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

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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.

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First Aid Fun

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

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Reminiscence - Childhood Nursery Rhymes

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

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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!

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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!

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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.

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Yesteryear Song Quiz

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Wedding Photo Guessing Game

Wedding photo guessing game

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Virtual Camping

Take your residents on a virtual camping trip!

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Reminiscing: I remember my Dad

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

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Stories Out of a Hat

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

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Friendship Afternoon

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

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Mothers Day Reminiscence

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

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Tactile Reminiscing Ideas

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

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Reminiscing on Mother's Day

Validation of feelings. Stimulate memory.

Nursery Rhyme Game

Memory recall and reminiscing

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Waltzing

Fun exercise and opportunity for social interaction.

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Ladies Discussion

Reminiscing and mental stimulation through socialising

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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.

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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.

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