When seniors with dementia struggle to participate and carry out daily activities, they get bored easily which could lead to symptoms of anger, agitation, anxiety and even depression. Furthermore, memories from the past become hazy as the syndrome progressively damages the brain cells. However, items that hold a special meaning to individuals can stimulate them emotionally and mentally, helping them to recall people and events from the past.

Therefore, we suggest creating their very own dementia memory box as it is a great way to cope with and manage the symptoms of dementia. This box should be personalised according to the individual and contain a variety of items centered around them such as old photographs, holiday souvenirs, and also activities for the patient to engage with when they are bored. Such items can be used to engage their 5 senses and comfort them when they are anxious. Additionally, this kit acts as a bridge between caregivers and dementia patients to communicate and connect as they are great conversation starters, making it an overall enjoyable process.

Steps to creating a Dementia Memory Kit:

1. Find a suitable container

• It can be a plastic bin, a basket, a shoe box, an empty milo tin or ice cream box
• It should be durable and able to store easily
• It can even just be a designated shelf or drawer

2. Decorate the box

• This is based on the preference of the patient - be it extravagant or simplistic, it is completely up to them!
• Decorate it together - enlist the help of family members, it will be a great bonding opportunity
• Label it so it's easy to locate

3. Start adding items

Possibilitiesfor what dementia patients can add into their memory box are endless. These are very personal and unique to each individual. Try to include items that can help to trigger their 5 senses - touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. Here are some suggestions to help you:

Memory Triggers

Consider adding items that reflect and represent their past interests and specialmonumental moments in their lives.

• Old photographs: family pictures, wedding pictures, pictures with old friends. The patient can even use these pictures to create scrapbooks.
• Favourite movie
• Favourite music: old tapes, vinyls or CDs
• Favorite fragrance: hand cream, perfume, soap bar
• Favourite item of clothing or jewellery 
• Souvenirs: special keepsakes from past holidays
• A trophy they won in the past
• A letter from a loved one
• A family heirloom

Activities

These items can help keep dementia patients engaged as they will always have something to do when they are bored. You can even DIY these items to add a personal touch to them.

• Fidget Widgets (Twist, Slide, Roll, Turn): These objects give their restless hands something to do. They are great for calming the individual to reduce anxiety and even self-harming behaviors in the later stages of dementia. 

• Colouring books or simple painting activities. These printable templates can also be found online. Check out our unique AquaPaint sets HERE. Simply paint water onto the sheets and watch the image appear!
• Card games: Snap, Charades, Memory matching, storytelling. Consider our Hua Hee Matchoonary for an all-in-one card deck with a local touch for them! 

We hope that this suggestion of a dementia memory kit has helped you to create a fun atmosphere and keep the seniors engaged. The items in the kit can hopefully encourage them to share the special memories associated with these items and inspire a waterfall of thoughts and conversations. 

For more items, shop our full range of dementia activities HERE!

Download our Quick Guide to Dementia E-book here!