Reminiscing

Back to The Future Game

I would like to share this sctivity I call “Back to the Future”. This has proven to be a great multifunctional activity, enjoyed and well participated by all my clients.

6 Comments New Member Activity

Read-Aloud: Audience Participation Story #3

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.

Famous Movie Quotes Quiz

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

13 Courtship Reminiscing Questions

Dating today is not what it used to be! Thanks in part to technology, singles today can jump on their smartphone to find other singles nearby.

Read-Aloud: Audience Participation Story #2

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.

2 Comments

Famous Redheads Reminiscing

How much do you know about redheads in past and present pop culture or history? Find out with a few of these trivia questions and conversation starters.

Reminiscing with Paul's Jukebox

Reminisce with Paul's Jukebox

2 Comments Member Activity

Cloud Gazing PowerPoint Activity

Let's Go Cloud Gazing!

1 Comment Member Activity

Children's Toys Reminiscing

Every generation seems to have a toy or gift that is a must-have for children. Here are a few of those items from the past along with trivia and reminiscing to get residents involved with the conversation.

BBC Reminiscence Archive

This archive provides access to a selection of content from the BBC Archives, designed to support reminiscence therapy.

5 Comments Member Activity

James Bond Films - Visual Quiz

Bond - James Bond

1 Comment Member Activity

Name That Show Visual Quiz

A powerpoint presentation including many of our favorite television programs of the past. Useful for ZOOM programming; share your screen with your clients and have them guess the name of the tv show.

10 Comments Member Activity

Folk Songs Guessing Game and Singalong

I found YouTube videos for 16 folk songs. For each song I found a piano version, without the words, that can be listened to and the residents can try to guess what the name of the song is. Once they name the song there is another video that is the same song with the lyrics for the residents to sing along with.

5 Comments Member Activity

This Land is Our Land Display Board

Create a board that shows the location of your care home and where residents and staff come from. On individual arrows put the country of origin and how many kilometres they are from their birth place to where they now live.

5 Comments Member Activity

Game Show Quiz and Reminiscing

Most Americans grew up watching some type of game show with their family in the evening. Tap into those memories with these trivia questions and reminiscing conversation starters

Pipe Ball Game

So I am the queen of recycling and the staff at my facility all leave me things to see if I can use them for our residents.

7 Comments Member Activity

Cartoon Characters Matching Game

This quiz featuring cartoon and comic book characters of yesteryear will stimulate conversation and reminiscing.

Library Sensory Stimulation Inspiration

The quiet of a local library and the feeling of settling in to enjoy a good book can be comforting to many of your residents. Tap into the magic of literature by trying out a sensory kit inspired by the library.

Memorable Slogans For Reminiscing

Some of the following advertisements may not be known in your country. Skip them and add your own with the help of residents.

Childhood Games Reminiscing

Use these questions to start a reminiscing conversation about summertime games residents may have played as children.

Dog Days of Summer Social

The “dog days of summer” are the hot and humid days that stretch out in the middle of summer. Celebrate these hot and lazy days with a social for your residents.

A Day at the Beach Sensory Kit Inspiration

Everyone loves a day at the beach, and this theme is perfect for sensory stimulation kits.

Movie Titles with Colours in Them

Guess the following movie titles where all the missing words are colours. Can be read out loud or written on a white board. Give clues when necessary.

3 Comments Member Activity

Rat Pack Singalong: Instrumental and Song

Stimulate the mind and memories through music. For each song there is an instrumental versión and then the sung versión.

2 Comments Member Activity

Conquest of Everest -29th May 1953

Mount Everest was first successfully climbed on 29th May 1953. Remember this special anniversary with a wide-ranging and comprehensive activity pack. Just pick and choose what you want to use.

2 Comments Member Activity

Beach Reminiscing

The theme for this reminiscing session is: The Beach.

14 Comments

Reminiscing Questions: Family Doctor, Getting Older, School Days

Here are 3 sets of reminiscing questions for discussion focusing on: the family doctor, school days and getting older.

1 Comment Member Activity

Fashion Show

Get residents and staff involved in doing a fashion show and have some fun! 

7 Comments Member Activity

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.

2 Comments

Conversations Starters

Questions to arouse conversation!

1 Comment Member Activity

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.

2 Comments

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!

2 Comments

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!

2 Comments Member Activity

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.

4 Comments Member Activity

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.

1 Comment Member Activity

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.

4 Comments Member Activity

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.

2 Comments

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. 

1 Comment

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.

1 Comment

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.

1 Comment

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.

1 Comment

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?

2 Comments

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.

4 Comments Member Activity

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.

9 Comments Member Activity

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.

Member Activity

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.

7 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!

14 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.

9 Comments

Group Singing with Props

This is a wonderful multi-sensory activity for residents living with dementia.

17 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.

3 Comments Member Activity

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.

9 Comments 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.

8 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.

11 Comments Member Activity

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!

19 Comments Member Activity

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!

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!

6 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!

15 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!

10 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!

16 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

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

United States: Reminiscing About Life in 1915

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

7 Comments

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 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.

25 Comments

Read-Aloud: Audience Participation Story #1

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.

10 Comments

How to Plan Music Activities for Dementia Care

Everyone responds instinctively to music. A person’s ability to engage in music often remains intact far into the advanced stages of dementia. Music triggers certain networks of the brain that benefit people suffering from difficulties with language, cognition, or motor control.

10 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

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.

1 Comment

Scent Guessing

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

34 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.

14 Comments Member Activity

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.

30 Comments

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.

5 Comments

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!

20 Comments Member Activity

Remembering the clothesline

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

15 Comments

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.

29 Comments

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

My Father's Profession Game

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

2 Comments

10 Daily Living Activities for Dementia Care

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

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.

11 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!

3 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

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

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

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

13 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.

36 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

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.

6 Comments

Wedding Photo Guessing Game

Wedding photo guessing game

9 Comments Member Activity

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.

9 Comments Member Activity

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.

14 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

Waltzing

Fun exercise and opportunity for social interaction.

3 Comments

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