Frequently Asked Questions
Many of these Frequently Asked Questions apply to both Gentle Recall and Guided Reminiscence. With each one, the goal is a deeper connection.
Link to sections below:
- Understanding Memory Loss and Recall
- Having Meaningful Conversations
- Using Reminiscence Effectively
- Practical Tips for Caregivers
- Gentle Recall and Guided Reminiscence
Understanding Memory Loss and Recall
What is Gentle Recall?
Gentle Recall is a free activity that uses familiar phrases, sayings, songs, rhymes, and other topics to encourage people experiencing memory loss to recall and share what they know. The goal is conversation and connection – any conversation and connection – not testing memory.
How does Gentle Recall work?
A familiar phrase is presented with the final word left out. The person is invited to complete it, such as “Don’t beat around the…” with “bush.” That simple recall can become the starting point for a much longer conversation.
Why use familiar sayings with someone experiencing memory loss?
Familiar sayings, or idioms, can draw on long-established memories and associations. Completing a phrase may also open the door to stories, feelings, and other memories connected to the topic.
Can Gentle Recall be used with someone who has dementia?
Yes. Gentle Recall is designed to encourage conversation with people experiencing dementia or other forms of cognitive decline. It should be used as a relaxed conversation activity rather than a test of cognitive ability.
Is Gentle Recall a memory test?
No. It is not a test, quiz, or examination. The purpose is to encourage recall, interaction, and conversation rather than measure whether someone remembers correctly.
What if the person gives the wrong answer?
There is no need to correct them. Gentle Recall is about engagement and connection, not getting every fact exactly right. An unexpected answer may lead to an interesting memory or conversation. If the person is engaged in the conversation, follow the memory and the feelings connected to it rather than turning the interaction into a correction exercise..
What if the person cannot complete the phrase?
Simply move on or try again another time. A prompt that doesn’t work today may work on another day, while a different topic may immediately spark interest.
Does someone need to remember the exact answer for Gentle Recall to work?
No. An engaged response is more important than an exact response. The activity is intended to encourage interaction and connection rather than demonstrate memory accuracy.
What if the person doesn’t want to talk?
Don’t force the conversation. Try another topic, allow some quiet time, or come back later. The goal is meaningful connection, not completing a particular number of prompts.
Having Meaningful Conversations
What should I talk about with someone who has memory loss?
Start with familiar subjects that may have personal meaning: childhood, family, music, holidays, travel, work, hobbies, sports, food, places, or familiar sayings. Gentle Recall provides many such starting points.
How can I keep a conversation going?
Listen for something interesting in the person’s response and gently follow that thread. A single answer can lead naturally to another question, a story, or a related memory.
What should I do when I run out of things to say?
Use a different Gentle Recall or Guided Reminiscence prompt as a fresh starting point. The familiar phrase provides something concrete to talk about without requiring you to think of a subject from scratch.
What if our visits have become awkward or quiet?
A simple familiar prompt can give both people something to focus on. The purpose isn’t to fill every moment with conversation, but to create opportunities for meaningful interaction.
Should I ask “Do you remember?”
It is usually better to use a conversational question that invites a memory without making the person feel tested. For example, instead of asking whether they remember a particular place, try asking what they liked about places they visited. Always try to avoid questions where the response can be a simple yes or no.
Should I ask questions that have a right or wrong answer?
Open-ended questions are generally more useful for reminiscence. They allow the person to share whatever comes to mind rather than feeling as though they need to produce a particular answer.
How long should a reminiscence conversation last?
It depends on the person and the day. One prompt and one or two questions that day (or moment) may be all they want and take only five or ten minutes. However, an especially engaging session can cover many prompts and continue for 30–60 minutes or longer if they get engaged. Follow the person’s interest and energy. To coin a GR prompt, simply “Go with the… flow.”
Should I allow silence during a conversation?
Yes. Some people need extra time to process a question or access a memory. After a discussion, they may still be thinking about the memory. A few quiet moments can be more helpful than immediately filling the silence.
What if one topic isn’t working?
Change topics. You don’t need to force a particular prompt or finish a particular set of questions. Another subject may connect much more naturally. You really don’t know what will make a connection – that’s why there’s a wide range of prompts available.
Using Reminiscence Effectively
What is Guided Reminiscence?
The art of Guided Reminiscence is a gentle activity in which a caregiver uses familiar topics, sayings, music, photographs, objects, or questions to encourage a person to recall and share memories from earlier in life. The Guided Reminiscence subscription provides additional caregiver tools to help make a deeper connection.
How is Guided Reminiscence different from Gentle Recall?
Gentle Recall provides the simple recall prompt. Guided Reminiscence expands that prompt with background information and conversation questions designed to help the caregiver explore the topic more deeply.
What are the benefits of Guided Reminiscence?
It can provide opportunities for conversation, emotional engagement, storytelling, and connection. It may also create moments of enjoyment and confidence by focusing attention on familiar experiences and long-term memories.
Does reminiscence have to be about childhood?
No. Memories from childhood, adulthood, work, family life, travel, hobbies, holidays, and many other periods can all provide useful conversation opportunities.
Why can older memories sometimes be easier to discuss?
Long-established memories and familiar associations may remain accessible even when more recent memories are difficult to retrieve. Gentle Recall therefore emphasizes familiar material from earlier life.
Can music be used for reminiscence?
Yes. Music is one of the familiar subjects that can be used to encourage reminiscence and conversation. A song can lead naturally to memories about people, places, occasions, dancing, school, or other experiences. Here’s a wonderful example of a gentleman lighting up when he heard his favorite music in a JADCOM Media article called “The Importance of Music in Dementia Care.”
Can photographs or familiar objects be used for reminiscence?
Yes. Photographs and many everyday objects or mementos can provide a concrete starting point for conversation. Rather than testing someone on names or dates, use the image or object as an invitation to talk about whatever comes to mind. The important thing is the personal associations they create.
Music lyrics and quotes from movies and plays would be fun prompts. Do you offer those?
No. They would indeed be fun and effective, but songwriters, screenwriters, and playwrights hold copyright ownership to their original works. It wouldn’t be fair to them to use their work, plus it could cause legal issues.
Can I change a Gentle Recall question to make it more appropriate?
Yes. This is strongly recommended! The suggested questions are intended as ideas rather than a script. Adjusting a question to fit the person’s history and your relationship with them can make the conversation much more natural and effective.
What if a memory brings up strong emotions?
Follow the person’s lead and pay attention to their emotional response. Reminiscence is about more than factual recall. The feelings connected with memories can be an important part of the interaction.
Practical Tips for Caregivers
What is the best setting for reminiscence?
A calm, relaxed environment is generally best. Reduce distractions when possible and give the person enough time to respond without feeling rushed.
What is the most important thing to remember when using Gentle Recall?
The objective is connection, not performance. Listen, be interested, follow the person’s lead, and enjoy the conversation rather than worrying about whether every detail is accurate.
Should I use every prompt in a Gentle Recall volume?
Not necessarily. Use the prompts that seem appropriate for the person in the moment. If one doesn’t generate interest, skip it and try another. The one you skipped may work better on another day.
Can I make up my own questions?
Absolutely. Gentle Recall’s suggested questions can work as they are, but they are designed to spark ideas for you. A slightly different question based on what you know about the person’s own history may be much more effective.
Should I follow the questions in order?
Again, not necessarily. Let the conversation determine where you go next. A person’s response may naturally lead somewhere completely different from the next question on the page.
What should I do if the person starts telling a different story?
Follow the new direction if they appear interested and engaged. The purpose is meaningful interaction, so an unexpected memory can be more valuable than returning to the original question.
Is it okay to stop after one good conversation?
Yes. There is no need to keep going simply because there are more prompts available. If you’ve shared one meaningful memory or conversation, you’ve accomplished something worthwhile!
Can Gentle Recall be used more than once?
Yes. The prompts can be revisited, and a familiar topic may produce a different response at another time. For times when a prompt doesn’t work, it may simply be the wrong topic for that particular moment.
Can I use Gentle Recall with more than one person?
Yes. The activity can provide a starting point for individual conversations or group activities. Its simple format makes it adaptable to different caregiving and social settings.
40. Can Gentle Recall be used in a Memory Cafe?
Absolutely! Gentle Recall and Guided Reminiscence can both be useful for Memory Cafe facilitators. Guided Reminiscence can also be used across multiple Memory Cafe locations. They make excellent Memory Cafe activities!
Gentle Recall and Guided Reminiscence
Gentle Recall
Where can I find Gentle Recall activities?
Gentle Recall activities are available free here on GentleRecall.com. They can be viewed online or used through the site’s printable PDF versions and gently animated video formats on the Gentle Recall YouTube channel.
Can I print Gentle Recall activities?
Yes. Each Gentle Recall volume includes a PDF carefully formatted to print conveniently on a single page.
Can I use Gentle Recall on my phone or tablet?
Yes. The activities can be accessed from a phone, tablet, or computer.
What topics are available in Gentle Recall?
The collection includes categories such as Childhood, General Topics, Geography, and Seasons & Holidays. Individual volumes also cover subjects such as nursery rhymes, children’s games, travel, baseball, and holidays. More are being added all the time!
How do I know when a new Gentle Recall volume is released?
You can sign up for JADCOM Compass alerts to receive a free email when a new Gentle Recall volume is released.
Guided Reminiscence
What is included with Guided Reminiscence?
Each edition contains five Gentle Recall prompts expanded with a brief history or background of each prompt and three suggested conversation questions. A printable one-page PDF is also provided.
How often will I receive Guided Reminiscence emails?
Three new editions are delivered each week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each edition contains five prompts in expanded format.
Do I need special training to use Guided Reminiscence?
No. Guided Reminiscence is designed to give caregivers a simple structure for having deeper conversations. The basic approach is conversational: introduce a familiar topic, listen, and follow the person’s lead.
How much does Guided Reminiscence cost, and can I cancel?
Guided Reminiscence is only $5.99 per month. There is no long-term commitment, and you can cancel at any time. When you cancel, your emails continue until what would have been your monthly renewal date.
Get Started Today!
Gentle Recall and Guided Reminiscence are your tools to making a deeper connection with the person in your care.
Start with Gentle Recall. If you need additional structure for deeper conversations, you can subscribe to Guided Reminiscence.
Thank you!