麻豆社

Handy Hints for Reminiscing

Reminiscing is something we do every day, without realising! It’s a great way to connect with someone.

Talking about the past and subjects they know well can empower a person and boost their self-esteem. Research also shows that reminiscence can increase well-being and reduce social isolation.

On this website you’ll find a selection of photos, music and 麻豆社 programme clips that can be used to bring back memories and start conversations.

So, how to get started?

If the person you are reminiscing with is someone you know well, choose something that you think they will enjoy.

If you don’t know the person very well, perhaps as a carer or volunteer, work out which decades they grew up in and choose something you think most people of that time could relate to. Childhood and early adult life tend to hold the most vivid memories.

Before playing the clip, you could start by saying something like “I don’t know, but here’s something I think you might enjoy. Shall we have a look?”

Don’t set up any expectation that they should definitely remember it!

Here’s an example:

Using The Generation Game clip above, think about the many different conversations it can encourage.

If someone responds well, just let them talk and join in the conversation naturally. If they look interested but don’t saying anything, you could try to open a conversation in a few different ways:

“Oh look, that’s the Generation Game…… ”

“I think that’s Bruce Forsyth, you know, Brucie ….Do you like him?”

“Nice to see you, to see you nice. He was always saying that. And he had other catchphrases too…..”

“I think that was on the tele when you were young. Did you watch it?” (Don’t argue if they say no!)

“Look at those flares…. Did you wear them in the Seventies?”

“What were your favourite television programmes?”

“Who were your favourite entertainers?”

Don’t worry if the clip is of something you don’t know much about yourself. Just make comments on what you can see and hear and if the person you are chatting with responds, you can try asking them a few questions to find out more – you might learn something!

Here’s a few other things to bear in mind, particularly when reminiscing with someone with dementia:

• Make sure the person you are reminiscing with is sitting comfortably!

• Might they have any visual or hearing problems you need to take into account?

• Whilst chatting, watch the person’s body language. If they become animated then ideas should flow. If they look tired or disinterested, don’t persist. Try something else, or try another day.

• Not everyone wants to talk about the past, or their mood might change day to day, so respect their wishes.

• Try to avoid setting someone up to fail by asking them lots of questions which can make it feel like a test. People can get upset if they realise they don’t remember things they think they should.

• Once they start talking, don’t interrupt or contradict – they are the experts!

• Fashion and objects from different eras are good things to notice, because even if the person doesn’t remember the person, programme or song in the clip, they may well remember clothes, hairstyles, cars, household items etc.

• Some memories cause a negative reaction. Try to be aware of potential subjects to avoid, and if someone does get upset, bring them back to a happier subject or piece of music that they enjoy.

• What works one day might not the next! Try again another day or try something different.