An enduringly popular, informative and unusual quiz book specifically produced for work with reminiscence groups. Covering the years 1930 to 1969, it draws on memories and experiences of daily life and recalls major events and celebrities. More than 600 questions and answers are offered on four topics - news, people, entertainment, and daily life. Questions can be adapted to all ages and abilities, and answers are supported by a wealth of background information, ensuring that the answers can be discussed to extend the activity.

Spanning the years 1930 to 1989, this is a highly practical and enjoyable puzzle book. It covers events, people, entertainment and everyday life and is designed to encourage group participation to recall and discuss their own personal experiences. It is fully adaptable according to the needs and abilities of the individuals within the group.

This comprehensive guide provides a bumper book of original resource material for reminiscence and activities with older people for a whole year! Containing 52 sections of ideas and resource materials for each week of the year, this is an invaluable resource for activity organisers and group leaders in residential, day care and hospitals, and for anyone working with older people. There is a theme for each week, eg. Animals and pets, with corresponding ideas for social events, reminiscence, exercises and games, quizzes, art and crafts, as well as 'this week in history', good ideas', 'discussion topics', 'homework' and the option to personalise the week by recording local anniversaries and events alongside personal landmarks and details. The ideas are easy to use and are relevant for both groups and individuals, including those with mental health and cognitive problems. Some activities require some physical effort, others mental effort, but they are all adaptable to be fun and achievable. This book also includes an introduction to the nature and value of reminiscence and activities, and guidelines on 'how to do it'. Written by the author of "Groupwork Activities", this comprehensive resource provides hundreds of activity and reminiscence ideas - a fantastic resource.

`I was impressed with the accessibility of the book, offering a guided tour through the history, context and purposes of reminiscence therapy, the range of applications from promoting social and emotional stimulation to reminiscence as psychotherapy. It also provides a brief overview of its theoretical underpinnings... As a book for health professionals interested in reminiscence work, it is a must for the shelf... most importantly it emphasizes the need for adequate training and supervision for those undertaking this type of work... the authors [also] provide a very good working guide to the assessment process′ - Aging and Health In this practical and accessible book, leading exponents of reminiscence work describe the purposes and techniques of reminiscence and set out detailed guidelines on how to implement and conduct a wide range of reminiscence activities with different types of client. Highlighting its tremendous diversity and potential - and its special ability to allow people of all ages and abilities to communicate deeply about their lives - the authors separate out the different aims of reminiscence, which include intellectual or social stimulation, allowing people to leave behind them a cultural legacy, or a means of intergenerational communication. They show clearly how each can be directly beneficial either to clients or their carers, or for improving the culture of the arena in which the activity is being carried out.

Engagement in meaningful activity is an important aspect of human existence, regardless of one's cognitive abilities. Even in the later stages of dementia, people can still be engaged in activities at a level that allows them to be successful. In fact in these later stages, where cognitive abilities may be waning, the need for activity becomes greater, as cognitive stimulation helps preserve what skills remain. For care staff looking after older people, many of whom may have some degree of dementia, coming up with ideas for activities of a suitable level to keep their residents engaged and stimulated can be challenging. The Activity Year Book solves this problem, offering week by week themed activities. From Valentine's Day quizzes to Bonfire Night word searches, it has activities relating to every important date in the calendar, and also encourages reminiscence and discussion around these events. This book will be invaluable to care staff looking for a simple way of improving the lives of their residents, week by week, all year round.

Perhaps being old is like having lighted rooms Inside your head, and people in them, acting People you know, but can't quite name. Philip lArkin This book is about those very old people who have a great many memories but few friends left to share them with. It is about valuing and using their memories to enhance the quality of their lives, that is, about reminiscence work. Many professionals offer this help to older people, including nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and clinical psychologists, as do families and voluntary workers. Its elements can be incorporated into day-to-day contacts with older people or it may take place in more structured settings. The transitional period from mature middle age to dependent old age is neither distinct nor precise. It does not occur at an identifiable time, it may be prolonged and it may not be obvious to the old people or their families. Loss of autonomy; the inability to cope unaided with the tasks of daily living, and increasing physical and mental frailty probably signal the area of transition. The diminished self-confidence that some old people feel at this time may be compounded by personal loss and financial difficulties; enforced changes in their lifestyles may also add to their confusion.