5 Activities You can do with Your Residents to Celebrate “Good Memory Day”

Did you know there is a National Holiday known as “Good Memory Day”? Do a quick internet search, and you’ll notice that no one really knows who came up with this holiday or why it’s celebrated annually on January 19th. But the idea behind the holiday is two-fold: celebrate the good memories of the past and test your current memory to see how good it still is.

Now, because we’re working with individuals living with dementia, we’re not here to test memory skills. But we are here to remember the good memories of the past. And I’ve got a few activities in mind.

1. Create a Memory Book. One of the best ways to gather lots of meaningful memories into one place. This could be a simple photo album, a scrapbook, or a pre-printed picture book. Find a step-by-step guide to creating these books here!

2. Watch Classic Television Shows of the Past. Pick a series of television shows that were in their prime during your Resident’s lives and play clips of each one. Be sure to reference the year in which they were aired, as well as the year in which the show was set. Discuss aspects of the show that were enjoyable, who we would typically watch them with, and why we loved these shows so much. Did Resident ever meet any of the actors who starred in these shows? Did any Resident want to pursue acting as a career? Talk about that.

3. Listen to Classic Music of the Past. Start by discussing favorite genres and eras of music. Who were the best artists of the decade and why? Who did your Residents see live? Host a sing-a-long or a dance-a-long. There are countless directions this activity could go; I’ve got a fun wintery jazz playlist if your Residents enjoy Bing, Dean, and Frank. You can find it here!

4. Discuss Favorite Childhood Toys. There is something so pure about thinking about a favorite childhood toy or game. Have some pictures of classic toys of the decade ready for the session or group, but be ready to search for additional images of toys that come up in discussion.

5. Gather Personal Stories from Family Members. A great way to get families involved is to collect personal stories. Ask families if they’d be willing to write down a few that you could read to your Residents during times when their families aren’t visiting. You’ll not only support the quality of life of your Residents, but you’ll also get to learn more about them too!