Thomas Gable · Senior Activity & Word Search Books
Activity directors and caregivers: here’s an easy, low-prep plan for a calm Christmas memory hour that works for small groups and one-on-one time.
The plan
- Welcome and settle in (5 minutes). Offer a warm drink and a comfortable seat.
- Warm-up (10 minutes). Read a few trivia questions aloud and let anyone answer.
- Pick an activity (15 minutes). Each person chooses a page from their own book and works at their own pace. Hand out the gentler edition for relaxed pace and the challenge edition for those who want more.
- Share a memory (10 minutes). Go around the table: what did the page remind you of?
- Wrap up (5 minutes). Thank everyone and note a favorite moment.
What you’ll need
- A copy of the book for each participant
- Pencils with comfortable grips
- Good lighting and a quiet corner
- Tissues, water and something to nibble
Tips from the table
- Large print helps, but so does good lighting. Seat people with their back to the window glare.
- Let people skip around. There’s no right order.
- Praise effort, not the score.
- Keep a few easier questions ready so everyone can join in.
Setting up the room
- Round tables help everyone see and hear each other.
- Keep walkways clear and chairs sturdy.
- Check the lighting. Glare on a glossy table can make reading harder.
- Have a few spare pencils and a sharpener.
Supporting mixed abilities
Groups are rarely uniform. Some residents love a challenge and some prefer something simple. Offer a choice of pages and let each person pick. A volunteer or aide can sit with anyone who’d like company, and no one needs to finish a page to take part in the sharing circle.
Keeping it dignified
Treat every page as a conversation starter rather than a test. Avoid scoring, and praise the stories more than the answers. People come back to activities where they feel respected.
Follow-up ideas for next week
- Invite everyone to bring a photo or object that fits the theme.
- Make a group list of favorite memories.
- Let a resident host the trivia round.
Questions people ask
Is the print really large? Yes. The books are set in large, easy-to-read print with plenty of white space, and each activity has its own page.
Is there an answer key? Yes. Answers are printed at the back of the book, and each activity page tells you which page to turn to. We’ve also posted a free, larger-print answer guide on our website.
Can a group use it? Yes. Each person works from their own copy, and the sharing happens out loud, so it suits small groups and one-on-one time.
What if a page feels too hard? Skip it and come back later, or try a different activity. There’s no time limit and no right order. The Gentle Edition is a good place to start if you’d like a more relaxed pace.
A free answer guide
If you get stuck, every answer is printed in the back of the book. We’ve also posted a free, larger-print guide on our website with extra help: Gentle Edition answer guide and Challenge Edition answer guide.
If you’d like more activities like these, take a look at Christmas Memory & Recall Activity Book (Gentle Edition) and Christmas Memory & Recall Activity Book (Challenge Edition). Both have large print, one activity at a time, and no time limit.
Shared, playful activities like these are simply a nice way to spend time together. If you ever have questions about memory changes, a doctor is the best person to talk with.
This post is for general interest and isn’t medical advice.
