Reminiscing is an anytime, anywhere, with anyone activity.

It doesn’t take long to bring forth a memory—an aroma, a touch, a taste, can do it. It’s the simple things in our everyday life that help us to remember. It doesn’t take long to stir up a memory. However, sometimes we might need to “gently” remember things for or with our loved one.

Consider these times as story springboards for reminiscing with your older family member:

• when looking at pictures or family photographs
• when cooking together in the kitchen
• when sitting or walking outdoors
• when holding hands
• when watching an old TV show
• when listening to favorite music
• when people watching
• when watching children
• when eating together
• when looking at a magazine
• when taking a car ride around your loved one’s old neighborhood
• when having a sweet treat together
• during family get-togethers
• when having a cup of tea together
• when you turn something they owned into something new
• after you read them a short story
• after you read a letter or card from a relative
• when you paint or trim their nails
• when you are looking through a memory box you made them
• when you are playing a game with them
• when you look at a cookbook or old family recipes
• when you make a meal that they haven’t tasted in a long time
• when smelling the aroma of something baking in the kitchen
• when gardening
• when looking at antiques