Touch can also remind someone of the past. Enjoy tactile activities like painting, pottery, or other crafts Or, recreate a favorite snack or treat they made for you when you were a child.Ĥ. Now, you could make it for them and reminisce while eating it together. Maybe your older adult always made a special dish for holiday celebrations. Taste is another wonderful way to evoke fond memories. You could create scent cards or jars using spices or essential oils to remind them of favorite foods or places – like fresh-baked cookies or a pine forest near their childhood home. Smell is a powerful way to access memories. Smell familiar scents and taste favorite foods The same goes for sports, crafts, historical events, etc.ģ. Photos of things that remind them of favorite hobbies are also great.įor example, someone who loves to garden might enjoy looking at a gardening magazine or plant catalog.Īnd someone who loved to cook might like a gourmet magazine with beautiful food photos. Photos of family, friends, and important life events are wonderful choices. Pictures or keepsakes that bring back memories are another excellent way to reminisce. You can play their favorite songs, have a little sing-along, or play music on simple instruments like shakers, bells, tambourines, or a DIY drum. And it’s even been shown to reach seniors with advanced dementia. That’s why it’s often recommended for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Music helps people reminisce and relate to emotions and past experiences. Use these 4 ideas to spark your imagination and think of additional ways of reminiscing that are specific to your older adult’s interests. Memories can be associated with different parts of the brain, so it’s helpful to try activities that stimulate different senses. If your older adult doesn’t recall any memories during the activity, that’s absolutely fine – maybe nothing came to mind at that moment. Next, choose a quiet, comfortable location where they’ll be able to hear and see you well. For many older adults, that tends to be earlier in the day. The goal of reminiscence therapy for dementia is to enjoy time with your older adult and set the stage so they have a chance to talk about any memories that might come up.įor best results, plan for a time of day when they’re most interested in activities. How to make reminiscence therapy successful You know your older adult best, so if something negative comes up, you’ll have a better idea of whether it’s best to listen and offer support or if it’s wiser to gently steer them toward a happier memory so they won’t get stuck in a sad, distressed state. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s important to respond with kindness and understanding. Sometimes a painful or unhappy memory will surface. You never know which memories will come up when reminiscing about the past. What to do if reminiscence brings up painful memories My mom baked my favorite cookies every Saturday – chocolate chip.” In contrast, when a pleasant memory floats up and they share it with you, they’ll feel good.įor example, your older adult might not remember or know how to answer when you ask a simple question like “Where did you grow up?” That could make them feel embarrassed or angry.īut if you’re looking through old photographs, they might spontaneously say “Oh look, there’s my house. Remembering something specific, even from long ago, can be stressful for someone with dementia because they’re likely to feel pressured or put on the spot. Reminiscing is not the same as asking someone to remember something from the past. There’s a difference between reminiscing and remembering Talking about happy memories of the past also brings joy, which is especially helpful if your older adult is having a hard time with everyday life – it helps them cope with stress. It gives them an opportunity to talk and share something meaningful rather than just listen to others speak. Reminiscence therapy can give seniors with dementia a feeling of success and confidence because it’s something they’re still able to do. The benefits of reminiscence therapy for dementia
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |