Why Reminisce? Activity Ideas for Retirement Communities and Nursing Homes

intergenerational program for assisted living

Here are 3 reasons why some activity directors may hold back from beginning a reminiscence program.

1. Reminiscing is so “old fashioned” – shouldn’t we just focus on the future?
The power of story helps people to build authentic relationships. When they have just moved in to a community or even if they have lived there for a while, people benefit greatly if they can develop closer, more meaningful friendships through life stories. LifeBio’s Story Cards are a simple way for people to have conversations that don’t involve the weather, health, sports, and food. LifeBio provides an activity connection by opening a door to new conversations and people realize how fascinating and accomplished the people are around them. LifeBio 101 classes help residents get to know other residents, staff, family members, and even prospective residents. People realize what they have in common – they can enjoy their future together more if they actually KNOW each other at more than surface level. When people know each other, it helps them experience more genuine love, hope, and peace. It helps the staff deliver better service and care too.

2. Why reminisce—isn’t that just dredging up old losses and causing more grief and pain?
Everyone has “sweet and sour memories”. Everyone has had multiple losses in their lives. The problem comes when people have no way to express these emotions. If people are forced to retreat to their rooms when they feel sadness and anger, they will continue to harbor these feelings. We find that people in LifeBio group classes have a chance to recall many positive experiences, review many accomplishments (validating their lives), and they realize that they are not ALONE. Everyone has experienced plenty of joy but also periods of pain too. There is something comforting in knowing that you’re not the only one who is feeling these emotions.

3. Reminiscing has been and “old school” activity for many years. What’s different now?
Yes, shadowboxes have been in memory care areas and activity directors have used Reminisce Magazine for discussions for years. What’s different now is a focus on lifelong learning (LifeBio 101 classes), brain fitness (working the hippocampus of the brain where memory is stored), exploring new technology (www.lifebio.com), and achieving higher resident and family satisfaction(expectations are high—management is realizing they must really KNOW people to deliver the very best service and care). LifeBio helps people achieve the goal of creating a biography in their own words—enriching lives in the process. Every person is unique. Communities are focused on person-centered care now and individualizing what they do more is KEY. LifeBio helps them accomplish this BIG goal.

For more info, contact Beth Sanders at 937-303-4574 or email bsanders@lifebio.com