Consciously retrieving pleasant memories of the past with elderly people with Alzheimer’s is often a pleasant and meaningful activity for them. In elderly care, this activity is called reminiscence. But what topics can you talk to them about? For elderly people with dementia, reminiscence can be relaxing. Reminiscing can also support their self-esteem and identity. After all, when topics from the past are discussed with the elderly, they are the experts! Very elderly seniors are better informed than young people when a theme from, say, their youth, is at stake. These conversation topics, themes if you like, also support their identity because it reminds the seniors of who they were, what they did and could do, when they still had a good memory.

Which topics or themes for reminiscing/reminiscing are suitable for dementia?

Discussion topics with one (good) known person

If you talk about the past with one older person, you can choose your theme purposefully. Especially if you know this elderly person well. And especially if your conversation partner is one of your parents or your own partner. After all, you as an informal caregiver have common memories with this person! Any basically positive, relevant topic is good.

Group conversations

But if you are reminiscing with a group of seniors with dementia, for example due to Alzheimer’s, it is very important that you choose a topic about which everyone or almost everyone in that group has memories. Only then can everyone who participates in the conversation really do their best.

Positive themes

In addition, it is essential that you choose positive memories. Only then is it relaxing. Bad memories can be discussed if the participants in the conversation bring them up themselves. You then support them as best as possible with the sadness that arises, for example, and gradually turn the conversation around. It is therefore better to avoid a theme that you can estimate in advance that it will mainly trigger painful memories. Consider topics such as war, illness, dying, divorce and unwanted childlessness.

Sensitive subjects

A theme that also requires a lot of tact when guiding a group discussion is religion/faith. The same applies to a subject like politics. These can be essential life issues on which the elderly have strong differences of opinion. The required tact is therefore so important in elderly people with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, for example, because an elderly person with dementia can express his beliefs bluntly and straightforwardly. This candor can be endearing for a healthcare worker with sufficient distance and overview. But for other people with dementia who also hear it, it can be hurtful. Even if that was not the intention at all.

The topics or themes suitable for people with Alzheimer’s to reminisce with

snowdropsThe seasons

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Consider: the weather, events in nature and seasonal work

Celebrate

• New Year
• Saint Nicholas
• Christmas
• New Year’s Eve

Religious festivals

• Christmas
• Easter
• Ascension Day
• Pentecost
• Harvest festival/day of prayer or thanksgiving for the crop

Personal parties

• Birthdays
• Engagement day
• Wedding
• Wedding days
• Wedding anniversaries

The stages of life

• Toddler time
• Primary school
• High school or vocational training
• A first boyfriend or a first girlfriend
• Going out / going out
• Get engaged
• To marry
• A job
• Households
• Have children
• To raise children
• Children leave the house
• Grandchildren
• Being a grandparent
• Pension

Spare time

• Play indoors
• Playing outside
• Trips
• Holidays

Hobbies

• Sport
• Music
• To craft
• To do odd jobs
• Needlework
• Pets

Food and drink

• Gardening (growing/preserving vegetables)
• Shopping
• To cook
• To eat
• To wash up
• To go out for dinner

Conclusion

There are many topics you can discuss with older people with dementia. When choosing themes, it is very important that an individual or (in a group discussion) that – almost – all elderly group members have had to deal with it in their lives.It is also important to provide support during sad experiences and to make adjustments during sensitive events. After all, you do not have a therapy group, but do an activity with these elderly people to have an enjoyable and relaxing time together.Retrieving memories can have a therapeutic effect. In terms of therapeutic effects, consider strengthening the identity of seniors with, for example, Alzheimer’s and supporting their self-esteem! Negative memories and sensitive topics usually come up naturally and therefore do not need to be brought up on purpose.

read more

• Reminiscence in dementia: stimulate all senses
• Reminiscing/retrieving memories in dementia: methodology
• Reminiscing/reminiscing in dementia: reasons
• Elderly people with dementia: making contact to communicate
• Stimulating memory in dementia through a photo book, with tips!