Engaging reminiscence activities for dementia: Practical ideas

Last Updated: August 29, 2026

When someone is living with dementia, they can have difficulty recalling memories.

Using reminiscence activities for dementia can help to evoke memories and may improve mood and overall wellbeing – though results vary between individuals.

What is reminiscence?

Reminiscing is the act of recalling and sharing memories from the past.

Keep in mind this is not the same as remembering, which can cause frustration and stress. Recalling short-term memories may prove difficult for someone with dementia. However, thinking back to older memories can be more accessible. Here, we explore some examples of reminiscence therapy activities and how they benefit someone living with dementia. The NHS describes reminiscence as talking about past events using prompts like photos, favourite possessions or music.

Benefits of reminiscence therapy activities

The benefits of reminiscence activities vary from person to person. Some notice a modest mood lift after taking part, while others might find certain memories bring up difficult feelings. The Alzheimer’s Society notes that possible benefits include improved self-esteem, confidence and social interaction – but cautions that sad memories may cause distress.

Reminiscing with someone who has dementia can help them feel listened to and valued. NICE guideline NG97 suggests considering group reminiscence therapy for people living with mild to moderate dementia. It uses the word “consider” deliberately, as it is not a guaranteed treatment. A systematic review and meta-analysis of reminiscence therapy found potential psychosocial benefits, though effects were small and varied.

Examples of reminiscence activities for dementia

A wide variety of practical reminiscence approaches can help trigger memories for people living with dementia. While the overall feeling can be positive, it can sometimes be an emotional activity. Always consider this before you start. Seek the person’s consent, and be ready to pause or change direction if they seem upset.

It is best to try reminiscence activities when the person with dementia is most engaged. This is usually earlier in the day. Choose a time when they are feeling positive and pick a familiar, comfortable location – home is great to start with. As one care-home staff member put it in a 2026 UK implementation study: “If it’s set up in the first few weeks of admission, alongside the life story, that’s really the hardest work taken out of it.”

Remember to go at the person’s pace. This is not a test of memory, but a way for you both to share and enjoy moments together. Do not correct every inaccuracy – the emotional experience matters more than factual precision. Adapt activities for any hearing, sight, language or cultural differences, and use personal prompts.

Below are some examples of reminiscence activities which are ideal for someone living with dementia.

1. Memory Box

Photographs and keepsakes are some of the best tools for triggering memories. Why not create a memory box with the person living with dementia to store these items? You can look through them together whenever you like.

With each item you pull out, whether it is a childhood holiday photo or a concert ticket, ask open questions and encourage conversation. It is important to engage and listen to their stories, as these can lead to other memories. If an item does not inspire any memories, simply move on to the next.

2. Social Activity

Whilst reminiscence is usually personal, it can still be a group activity. A good way to engage as a group is to listen to an old song or watch a film from their era together. Conversations about the film or song and what life was like back then can encourage social interaction and shared memories.

The review mentioned above found that group approaches were linked to improvements in communication. This makes social reminiscence activities a worthwhile option in care-home settings.

3. Familiar Locations

If the person enjoyed visiting a particular location when they were young, like a park, taking them there can help evoke memories. Perhaps they just enjoyed spending time in the tool shed or garden – this can be effective too.

Sitting in a familiar environment and gently asking questions about the place helps them recall past feelings and experiences. Keep the questions light and follow their lead on how much they want to share.

4. Sensory Stimulation

Using the senses can be powerful for evoking memories. Whilst sight is important for looking at photographs, other senses like smell and taste can be just as effective.

Try cooking a familiar meal together, where the smell and taste can trigger past memories. Or listen to the sounds of the sea while looking at holiday photographs, gently asking questions about trips they remember. Culturally familiar foods or music are especially meaningful, so choose prompts matching their background.

5. Life Scrapbook

Creating a scrapbook of their life story allows them to reminisce in a visual way. Whether you include images relating to their career, hobbies, family or home town, each will tell a story.

Once you create the scrapbook together, it becomes a resource you can return to time and again. It also serves as a useful starting point for carers or visitors who may not know the person’s history well.

These activities offer a starting point for reminiscence activities for dementia. Explore a mix of options with your loved one and see what works best. Digital and virtual options are emerging, and a 2026 study in BMC Nursing found that nurse-led digital sessions improved engagement and positive affect in care-home residents. As with all reminiscence work, keep it personal – as one staff member noted, “reminiscence can’t be forced; it’s about the right memory for the right person.”