Reminisce and Sensory Stimulation Activities
Destination Stations
A destination station is a place that invites participation, sparks memories and creates moments of joy through meaningful activity. They deliver purposeful moments.
Life experiences shape each of us into the people we are today. Our days are defined by how we spend them, perhaps working in an office, being a stay-at-home parent, spending time fishing outdoors, watching football games every weekend, or serving in the military. For an athlete or sports fan, celebrating a team’s victory is important. For a father who “fixes everything” in the garage or loves the great outdoors, fixing things or fishing in the outdoors brings him fulfilment and happiness. Many ladies have spent years visiting with others at the hair or nail salon and enjoy getting dressed up with jewelry, hats and their favorite accessories so reliving those moments with purpose is important. Others are mothers, grandmothers, babysitters who enjoy nurturing so a nursery is a place of relaxation and purposeful activity for them.
Below are the destination stations or “little theme niches” I created for the resident of Legacy Oaks, along with a list of example items you can include should you decide to recreate as a professional or a caregiver in your own home.
Nurturing Station
Gather a changing table, bassinet, baby clothing, burp cloths, familiar fairy tales, blankets with different textures, books/vintage parenting magazines with babies, plush animals, baby bottles, colorful teething rings/rattles, pacifiers, a lullaby music maker, baskets/bins, umbrella stroller, disposable or Velcro diapers, rocking chair, side table, and nursery artwork.
Visit the Gallery for additional pictures of this Destination Station.
Vanity Station
Small vanity or writing desk, chair, coat rack, dress form, jewelry boxes/stands, necklaces, bracelets, clip-on earrings, costume rings, colorful scarves, perfume bottles, fashion magazines, vintage magazine ads, and empty perfume bottles.
Visit the Gallery for additional pictures of this Destination Station.
Travel Station
Group an old suitcase, maps, atlas, postcards, travel guides, passport cover, coffee table/regional books, photo album, National Geographic or travel magazines, framed maps/travel illustrations, small globe, travel décor on a desk or console.
Visit the Gallery for additional pictures of this Destination Station.
Office Station
Workin’ 9-5! All you need to do is gather a desk set, pens/pencils, desk pad, paper calendar, career books, bookends, business newspapers, calculator with large buttons, desk lamp, magnifying glass, old typewriter, containers for supplies (nothing sharp or small), legal pads, envelopes and paper.
Visit the Gallery for additional pictures of this Destination Station.
Great Outdoors Station
Outdoorsmen and women will love spending time enjoying a tackle box, fishing lures (remove all hooks with plyers!), bobbers, fishing glove, hats, books on the outdoors and fishing, decorative fishing items, and clothing.
Visit the Gallery for additional pictures of this Destination Station.
Military Station
Service to our country is a source of great pride. Use a bookshelf or console to display frames, books about the military (fighter jets, uniforms, quotes about leadership – nothing violent or upsetting), medals, small American flags, canteen, patriotic items and a bunting.
Visit the Gallery for additional pictures of this Destination Station.
Sports Station
“Take me out to the ballgame…” A fan favorite station might include baseball cards, team jerseys, hats, helmets, football, baseball, team pendants, coffee table books on sports, coat rack, pom poms, sports artwork, local college team memorabilia, sports section of the newspaper.
Visit the Gallery for additional pictures of this Destination Station.
Laundry Station
Many enjoyed doing housework in the past or feel like they’d like to contribute more. A laundry station might include wall signage, socks to match/fold, clothes pins/string, a table, laundry baskets and small towels. Folding is an important movement that may also help range of motion.
Visit the Gallery for additional pictures of this Destination Station.
Easy Busy Activity Bags
Below you’ll find several videos with directions, supplies and details for busy bags that are perfect to take on the go, attach all together as they are easy-to-replicate sensory, matching, memory and color activities.
Easy Matching/Count 1-10
Color, Matching, Sensory Ideas
You’ll find videos below for a felt squares activity, bucket of clips, several matching games, a flower sensory garden bin, card games, sensory mats and sensory boards, and activities to help with memory, hand/eye coordination and recollection, all while conversing and visiting. They are perfect for caregivers, family and friends to create and use when spending time with those they are about with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Animal Matching Activity
Paint Palette Matching Activity
Flower Sensory Garden Bin Activity
Deck of Cards Matching Activity
Card Sorting Activity
Sensory Mats Activity
Mitten Matching Activity
Muffin Tin Matching Activity
Paint Chip Matching Activity
Deck of Cards Activity
Velcro Dot Craft Sticks Activity
Sensory Boards