For someone dealing with memory loss, regardless of how much memory they have or don’t have, they can feel like they are slowly drifting away, like being disconnected from everything.
However, personalized memory games are a wonderful way to bridge that gap and make the person feel connected again! The key is tailoring the activity to them, so that whatever activity you choose is specific and personal.
How to Create Memory Matching Games
When it comes to memory loss, what’s familiar to them is comforting. Think about their hobbies, or family traditions, or memorable life events.
Did they have a favorite spot they always holidayed at? Did they enjoy special times or events? Did they have a special friend or pet? What did they cherish? What were they good at? These are the types of details that can help you create personalized memory games.
Matching Faces and Places
This one is an easy one. You can start by creating a memory matching game using pictures of family members, or photos from a specific place, etc. Print out pairs of all the family photos, and scenic places they loved, or objects tied to their past, such as a boat or caravan.
Lay them all out and let them try to match the pairs. Even if they don’t get them all right, that doesn’t matter, just the process of looking at the images and talking about them can bring back feelings of connection and happiness.
They may not even finish the game, but they most probably will have a lot of fun just looking at all the photos of people and places.
Name That Tune
Music is often the last thing to fade from our memories. A simple game like ‘Name That Tune’ can be both entertaining and deeply moving. You can create a playlist with songs they loved growing up. Play the first few seconds, or however long you think, of a song and see if they can name it. If they can’t, play a bit more and maybe start to hum or sing along to see if they start too.
No game should become a competition! It’s about enjoying the music together and recalling beautiful memories.
Customized Trivia Game or Memories In a Jar
Personalized trivia can be a fun way to explore their life. You can write down questions on bits of paper and place them in a jar. So you are playing a game that is a treasure trove, or jar full of memories and love! For example…
What was the name of your first pet?
Who was your favorite teacher?
What was your wedding day like?
What was it like when your first baby was born?
What color clothing did you like to wear when you were young?
Sometimes, a single word is enough to spark a memory, so if sentences are too hard, write down things you know might trigger a memory, such as beach, holiday, wedding, birth, a dog or cat’s name, people’s names etc.
Personalized Puzzle Fun
Puzzles are fantastic for engaging the mind, but a personalized twist makes them even better. Use an online service or craft store to create a custom jigsaw puzzle from a family photo or a picture of a place they love. Sitting down together to piece it together can be a satisfying activity.
Map Out a Timeline Together
This game can be a beautiful way to celebrate their life story. Create a timeline on a piece of paper or use a string and clothespins to hang pictures or mementos in chronological order. Start with their childhood and work forward, letting them help fill in the gaps.
As you work, you can turn it into a guessing game. You can ask questions like, ‘Do you remember where this photo was taken?’ or “What happened in this photo?’ It’s a gentle way to revisit meaningful moments while honoring their personal history. If they rewrite history that’s okay too!
Memory games are so much more than a ‘sharpening your mind’ game. They’re connecting with you and themselves on a very personal level. These games will help remind them of who they are and show them that they’re loved for everything they’ve been and everything they still are.
