Why Familiar Items Matter in Dementia Care
Dementia affects the brain’s ability to store and retrieve memories, especially short-term memories. However, long-term memories—especially those connected to emotions – can remain deeply rooted. Personal belongings often trigger these older, emotionally charged memories.
Here’s what familiar items can do:
1. Stimulate long-term memory
Objects tied to childhood, early adulthood, or important life moments can act as bridges to the past. A wedding photo, an old recipe book, or a cherished piece of jewelry may evoke stories and emotions that bring your loved one comfort and clarity—even if just for a few moments.
2. Provide a sense of identity
When cognitive function declines, many individuals experience confusion about who they are, where they are, or what’s happening. Surrounding them with their own personal items—photos of family, religious objects, cultural décor—reinforces their identity, giving them a sense of belonging and familiarity in an otherwise uncertain world.
3. Reduce anxiety and behavioural symptoms
Unfamiliar environments can be overstimulating. Personal items help create a calm, safe space that reduces fear and agitation. When someone with dementia is surrounded by items they recognize, they’re less likely to feel disoriented or distressed.
Simple Ways to Incorporate Personal Items into Daily Care
You don’t need to overhaul your loved one’s environment. Small, intentional changes can have a big impact. Here are ways to incorporate meaningful items into care:
Use framed photos in key areas
Place familiar family or pet photos in places your loved one sees often—near their bed, beside the TV, or at the dining table. Label the photos with names like “Jane – Daughter” or “Max – Grandson” to reinforce recognition.
Keep favourite textures and scents nearby
Soft blankets, knitted sweaters, or a beloved hat may hold emotional comfort. Keep them accessible and incorporate them into daily routines like reading time or naps.
Add scents too—like lavender, vanilla, or rosewater—that your loved one associates with home or pleasant memories. Just be mindful of allergies or sensitivities.
Use familiar kitchenware
Serve meals on the same plate or with a cup they’ve always used. These visual and tactile cues support routine and recognition, making mealtimes less stressful.
Create a “Memory Music” playlist
Music has a unique ability to awaken memories. Curate a playlist of songs from your loved one’s youth, cultural background, or special moments (like their wedding or favourite holiday). Play these songs during caregiving tasks or quiet time.
Create a Memory Box
Fill a small box with items like postcards, recipes, jewelry, souvenirs, or notes. This can be a great activity to explore together and may prompt storytelling or calm restlessness during anxious moments.
What If Your Loved One Is in a Care Setting?
If your loved one lives in a long-term care home or receives support from a professional caregiver, you can still make personal items part of their daily care plan:
- Send along a few meaningful objects with notes for staff about their significance.
- Encourage caregivers to incorporate these items during personal care or social visits.
- Share photos or short videos with staff to use as visual anchors.
At Ideal Caregivers 4U, we make it a standard part of our dementia care assessments to ask about meaningful items and life history. Care is not one-size-fits-all—it’s personal, respectful, and emotionally mindful.
Dementia care is not just about safety and supervision. It’s about helping your loved one stay connected to who they are, what they love, and where they’ve come from.
The next time you notice a moment of calm while your loved one holds a familiar photo or smiles at a favourite song, remember—it’s not just nostalgia. It’s care. Real, healing, memory-connected care.
💙 If you or someone you love is living with dementia and needs compassionate, personalized support, we’re here to help.
