Positive Reminiscing

Type of modality / Cognitive skills exercise
Type of play / Shared cooperative
Interaction pattern / Intra-group
# of participants required / 2(+)
Equipment/supplies / Sheet of paper/computer screen with questions or phrases written to trigger reminiscence (or questions can be handed out)
Facilities required/environment / Quiet, comfortable room to promote privacy and encourage clients to open up and share
Precautions / Some questions or phrases may trigger negative responses due to unpleasant memories

Sequence/Directions (Details of how a to move through the activity from start to finish) This can be less than ten steps of more than ten steps…

1.  RT will prepare questions or phrases that will initiate conversation about significant events in the past for the participants.

2.  Sessions will be “themed” (e.g. historical events, holidays, high school, college, birthdays, etc.)

3.  Participants read first question or phrase (or have it read out loud to them) and discuss with one another any memories that may come up.

4.  RT facilitates a conversation about the topic and utilizes therapeutic communication techniques to encourage discussion (e.g., paraphrasing, probing, validating, etc). Keep the conversation balanced among all group members and remind members of the clock time as appropriate.

5.  Participants can choose whether they want to go one at a time, or have conversational reminiscence.

6.  Positivity should be encouraged by RT, so each question or phrase should have a similar goal.

7.  According to theme, sensory stimulation kits and memory boxes can be used for triggering memories as well as opposed to reading questions off of a sheet of paper/computer.

Activity Analysis (What is required of this activity without any adjustments, accommodations, alterations)

Category / Skills
Primary body position / Static sitting & standing,
Part of the body required / Eyes, ears, mouth
Movement / Movement not necessary unless activity is more involved and clients are asked to pick up photos or objects, in this case: fine muscle, grasp, release, picking up
If activity included taking a walk to promote reminiscence: AROM
Physical / Balance: static sitting & standing
w/ more involvement (walks & hands-on activities): fine muscle, visual-motor integration, walking short/long distances, cardiovascular endurance
Cognitive / Alertness, focused attention, sharing attention, initiation, insight, short term memory, long term memory, orientation (time most important)
Social / Starting, sustaining & ending conversation, heterogeneity, homogeneity, maintaining social space, relating with equals, regulating behavior, relationship forming, self-expression, showing respect & warmth
Perception / Auditory, visual
Communication/language / Reception & expression to spoken language, reception & expression of body language , reception of written language
Self-care / N/A
Psychological/emotional (possible) / Joy from pleasant memories, frustration(guilt) incase unpleasant memories come about, emotional pain

SIMPLIFYING AND COMPLICATING THIS ACTIVITY:

Ways to SIMPLIFY demands / Ways to make more COMPLEX
Cognitively / According to client’s memory loss (short term or long term) adhere to those and make sure the questions are adjusted to whichever the client’s strength is. Also focus on what a participant may remember most and enjoy talking about, (i.e. their wedding day) rather than the topic chosen for the group session (such as holidays) / Practice short-term memory skills by asking clients to repeat stories other clients have shared
Physically / Do not require much movement for activity, have clients simply read & discuss sitting down / Encourage clients to take walks and ask questions as walks are being taken and initiate conversation related to the reminiscence theme.
Having clients mingle and stand while reminiscence occurs
Socially / If client(s) has anxiety/social impairments make activity one-on-one / Add members to group

Other Comments:

Sensory stimulation kits targeted around memory help cognitive stimulation, triggering positive emotions and improving QOL. It initiates conversation and promotes social skill improvement. Memory Boxes can help to stimulate the mind, triggering good emotions and improve quality of life. It helps bring people together and encourages conversation, reminiscence and discussion.

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