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59 / Balanced Care Method Workbook Cognitive Engagement
Social Reminiscing
Explore childhood and young adult
memories; happy events from the past.
Example questions are provided below, but
if you feel like the conversation is lacking
in substance, you can ask questions of
your own. You might ask, “How did your
husband/wife propose?” or “How long were
you engaged?” Keep it light and avoid any
topics that you think may distress the client.
If the client starts to get distressed, steer
the conversation to a different topic. You
might share your own brief anecdotes, but
remember the purpose is to engage your
client in his/her own history. The following are
potential topics and suggested questions.
Vacations:
1. What is your favorite type of vacation
(beach, camping, hiking, safari,etc.)?
2. What is your most memorable vacation?
Were you with your family, friends or were
you alone?
3. What is your favorite holiday? What is your
favorite holiday memory?
4. When you were a young adult, did you like
to travel or spend vacations at home?
Favorite Games:
1. What was your favorite childhood game?
2. Do you have any fond memories of a
particular game you used to play that you
remember from your childhood?
3. Did you prefer board games, card games or
other types of games (Ex. Hide and Seek)?
4. Are you competitive? What do you like
about playing games?
First Pet:
1. What was your first pet? Dog? Cat? Fish?
2. What was his/her name? How did you pick
the name?
3. What memories do you have of your first
pet?
4. Did you have other pets? What kind? Did
your pets travel with you? What made your
pet unique?
School Days:
1. Where did you go to grammar school?
High school? College?
2. What are your fondest memories of your
school days?
3. Do you remember any of your teachers?
Did you have a favorite teacher? Why was
he/she your favorite?
4. Did you stay in touch with your friends from
your school days?
Holidays:
1. What was your favorite holiday growing
up? Why?
2. If you could relive one holiday memory, which
one would it be? Why is it so special?
3. Did you celebrate holidays with extended
family? What did you do?
4. Did you travel anywhere special for
particular holidays? With who? Where?
How did holiday celebrations change
throughout your life?
Political Events:
1. Where were you when you learned that
President Kennedy was assassinated?
2. What do you remember about the fall of
the Berlin Wall?
3. What were the most memorable events
during the Civil Rights Movement?
4. When your hear: “Once small step for
man,one giant leap for mankind,” what
memories come to mind?