You don’t need a background in therapy or memory care to support your loved one with dementia. You just need your heart, a little intention—and some meaningful photos.
Reminiscence therapy isn’t about doing things perfectly. It’s about creating moments of connection and calm through memories. And with the help of photos, you can start bringing those moments into your home today.
Here’s how to begin, one simple step at a time.
1. Choose the Right Photos
Not every photo will be helpful or comforting to someone with dementia. You want to pick images that feel familiar, safe, and warm. People should be easily to recognize, in focus and good lighting. A great photo to start the book is a close up or portrait of your loved one smiling.
Focus on:
- People they know well: Parents, siblings, children, chosen family.
- Places they loved: favorite adventures, vacation spots, gardens, churches.
- Moments of pride or joy: Weddings, holidays, professional (or hobby) achievements, family traditions, everyday routines.
Avoid photos that might spark confusion, sadness, or frustration—especially ones from recent events your loved one may not remember clearly.
Think of these photos as doorways: which ones will open up moments of peace or joy?
2. Gather What You Have
Printed photos in shoeboxes. Digital photos on phones. Albums tucked away in closets. Don’t worry about being organized right away—just start collecting what’s easy to reach.
Ask family members to contribute their favorites. You might be surprised by what they have, and their memories might help fill in details your loved one can’t.
Need to scan photos? Your home printer/scanner will usually do just fine—as long as you scan at 600 dpi (dots per inch) for good print quality later.
3. Tell the Story in Captions
Captions are incredibly helpful for people with memory loss. Even if they can’t always read or understand the full story, simple labels create context and reassurance.
Try to include:
- Names (“Aunt Maria and Uncle Joe”)
- Places (“At the beach in Santa Cruz”)
- Time markers (“Summer 1974” or “Jim’s high school graduation”)
Use large, clear fonts when possible. Short sentences are great—no need for full paragraphs. Just enough to spark recognition.
4. Keep It Light and Easy
If you’re creating a photo book, think about physical comfort too. Large, heavy albums can be tiring or frustrating to hold. For people with arthritis, visual processing issues, or attention fatigue, simpler is better. I recommend the 10×10 inch size that most photo book makers offer.
Tips for layout:
- One to two photos per page. Cropped to focus on the people and remove visual clutter
- Well lit and clear (not blurry) photos.
- Simple readable text (at least 16-point font)
- Too tall of a book can be challenging with hand tremors.
You’re not just making a photo album—you’re creating a tool for connection. It’s okay to go slow and test what works.
5. Get Help if You Need It
You don’t have to do this alone. Whether you’re a hands-on DIY type or feeling totally overwhelmed, I offer coaching sessions and full-service design options to help you get there.
I also have a Memory Care Book Planner and a webinar on reminiscence therapy and Memory Care Books coming out later this spring. These resources are made with families like yours in mind—people who want to help, but don’t always know where to begin.
A Little Planning, A Big Difference
You don’t need perfect photos, fancy software, or hours of free time. You just need the desire to make your loved one feel seen.
A Memory Care Book can help them feel calm, connected, and at ease. It can help you feel like you’re doing something in a situation that often feels out of your hands.
And the best part? You can start today.
Book your free 30-minute discovery call and let’s talk about how I can help you bring your loved one’s memories to life.
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