Erin Lim

RCTH 2104 Recreational Therapy Modalities

Professor Burket

Activity Title: Memory Box

Sources:

Dementia - Early Signs. Dementia - early signs - Better Health Channel. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 15, 2021, from
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dementia-early-signs.
Early-Onset Dementia and Alzheimer's Rates Grow for Younger American Adults. Blue Cross
Blue Shield. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-
of-america/reports/early-onset-dementia-alzheimers-disease-affecting-younger-american-
adults.
How to Make a Memory Box for Residents with Dementia. Cedar Hill Continuing Care
Community. (2020, October 20). Retrieved November 15, 2021, from
https://www.cedarhillccc.com/helpful-resources/make-memory-box-dementia/.
Person. (2019, June 17). How to Make a Memory Box for Someone with Dementia in 5 Easy
Steps. Netdoctor. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from
https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/how-to/a29223/memory-box-for-dementia/.
What is Dementia? Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2021,
from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia.
Equipment needed:

• Any 12in by 9in box—ideally a shoe box which is easily accessible and easier to carry

for the participant

• Objects and materials that are memorable and meaningful for the individual from their

past experiences. It can be items such as photos, books, dried-up flowers, fragrances,

toys, and other objects that hold deep significance for the individual. There is no limit to
 how many objects are in the box. The more objects that are added to the box, the more

memorable the box is for the patient.

Activity Description:

The memory box is a reminiscence activity that can be used to restore significant memories from

their past life and experiences in an individual. The purpose of the memory box is to help recall

loved ones and events from the past that provide mental and emotional stimulation.

Directions:

• The facilitator or person who guides this activity will find a box that is the perfect size for

the participant.

• The facilitator may also need to contact the participant’s family members to obtain

memorable photos or items for the participant that will be used to put into their memory

box. As the facilitator does this, he or she will learn about their participant’s past interests

which will then help to collect special keepsakes that can be included in their

participant’s box.

• After the objects are collected, the facilitator could help the participant if needed to help

customize their memory box to make it more personal and meaningful to them. (As they

add personal items in their box, the participant can even decorate the exterior of their box

and label it if they want to—being creative.)

• As the memory boxes are being put together and the participant is finished with their box,

the facilitator can start a conversation about the objects in the box in either a one-on-one

or group session to exchange memories with other participants who have a memory box

as well.
 • Note: This will promote discussions with new people and family members on the

participants’ fond memories. The memory box serves as a “blast from the past” which

hold special personal memories for people living with memory-loss conditions.

Primary Social Interaction Pattern(s): This memory box activity can be extra-individual as the

participant engages with the objects directly while not requiring contact with others. The

participants can use the memory box to stimulate their past happy memories and interact with the

box on its own. This could also be intragroup as the memory box can spark discussions between

the participant and the facilitator or other participants who have their own memory boxes.

Adaptation: Dementia is a broad term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other

cognitive abilities that interfere with daily life and Alzheimer’s is the typical cause of dementia

(What is Dementia? Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, n.d.). The cause of dementia is damage

to the brain cells. Not only does dementia contain memory loss, but it also affects one’s

behavior, emotions, and relationships. With dementia, it can get progressively worse meaning

that the signs of dementia start out slowly and get worse (What is Dementia? Alzheimer's

Disease and Dementia, n.d.). The symptoms of early onset dementia are problems with

memorizing recent events, increased confusion, reduced concentration, behavior changes,

depression, and the ability to do everyday tasks (Dementia - Early Signs. Dementia - early signs -

Better Health Channel, n.d.). Early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease combined have even

increased to 200% from 2013-2017 (Early-Onset Dementia and Alzheimer's Rates Grow for

Younger American Adults. Blue Cross Blue Shield, n.d.). An adaptation that can help a person

with early onset dementia would be to do a one-on-one session with the participant as they may

not want to interact in a group session. If the participant does not want to verbally participate, the

facilitator can work with them to stimulate their memories using the sense of hearing and touch
and even conversing to them about their memories and how important they are to them. This will

be an important role for the facilitator because he or she will be helping the participant by using

cues to guide them. Using physical stimulation can spark memories and happiness within the

participant which can change their mood. This may even also make the participant want to share

their experiences and why they chose to put specific items in their memory box.

Participant: 75-year-old woman diagnosed with early onset dementia.