Talking Through Time: Embedding Reminiscence into Everyday Care Home Practice (2026)
To improve the quality and consistency of observed reminiscence interactions for residents.
Talking Through Time: Embedding Reminiscence into Everyday Care Home Practice
Primary Themes: Maintaining Identity, Creating Community
Secondary Themes: Sharing Decision-Making; Creating Community; Improving Health and Healthcare; Promoting a Positive Culture
Project Title
Talking Through Time: Embedding Reminiscence into Everyday Care Home Practice. Cohort 31 involving 11 care homes across the Belfast area.
Aim of the Project
By the end of two months, to improve the quality and consistency of observed reminiscence interactions for residents, evidenced through completed observation charts and feedback from residents, relatives and staff.
Description of the Intervention
The project introduced a structured approach to embedding reminiscence into everyday care home practice. This included staff education about reminiscence and meaningful conversation, use of life-story information, photographs, objects, music, posters and other prompts, development of reminiscence corners, routine discussion of reminiscence during staff meetings, handovers and daily huddles, and the use of an observation tool to monitor practice. Staff were encouraged to use ordinary opportunities for reminiscence during personal care, mealtimes, walks, one-to-one conversations and quiet moments rather than viewing reminiscence only as a planned activity.
Who Was Involved?
Residents, staff and family members from participating care homes were involved. The project was undertaken across 11 care homes providing a range of services, including learning disability, supported housing, mental health, nursing, dementia and residential care.
Which MHL Tools were used and how?
The project used an Appreciative Inquiry approach alongside the Improving Experiences Template and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to support quality improvement. These approaches were used to identify existing strengths, plan changes, test approaches, gather feedback and observations, and adapt or extend the initiative.
Baseline Position (Before the Project)
Before implementation, reminiscence was occurring inconsistently and was not routinely documented. Staff demonstrated variable knowledge and understanding of reminiscence, care tasks could take priority over meaningful engagement, conversations were often general rather than centred on residents' individual life stories, and there was limited family involvement. Staff for whom English was not their first language could also find it difficult to initiate or sustain conversations with residents.
Changes Implemented
A project logo and observation tool were developed, and reminiscence sessions and activities were introduced within participating homes. Staff and families were given information about the meaning and value of reminiscence, and the initiative was reinforced through staff meetings, handovers and daily huddles. Homes introduced resources such as posters, prompts, memorabilia and reminiscence corners, gathered life-story information, and encouraged staff to incorporate reminiscence into routine interactions. Feedback and observations were collected, with plans to extend the approach to additional residents and families.
Evidence of Impact / Outcomes
Qualitative: Staff reported improved confidence, awareness and understanding of residents, while conversations became more meaningful and centred on residents' individual histories. Residents described reminiscence spaces positively, and family feedback highlighted increased engagement, laughter, creative expression and personalised activities. Families also became more involved through the collection of life stories and meaningful memorabilia.
Examples of feedback included staff describing how the initiative helped them understand residents better, residents reporting that reminiscence corners encouraged conversation, and relatives observing increased engagement and enjoyment. The project used baseline and follow-up observation charts to assess engagement and changes in practice.
Key Learning
Time remained an important barrier, highlighting the need for reminiscence to be integrated into everyday care rather than treated solely as a planned activity. Recognising and empowering the individual strengths and skills of staff supported implementation. Family involvement added considerable value, although approaches also needed to remain inclusive of residents who did not have active family involvement. Relatively small changes, including posters, prompts and reminiscence corners, helped make meaningful conversations more visible and easier to incorporate into routine practice.
Sustainability and Spread
The project was designed to support sustainability by embedding reminiscence into routine care practices, including handovers, staff meetings, daily interactions and documentation. The PDSA approach also included plans to expand the initiative to more residents and families. Examples of good practice were shared and progress celebrated with residents, relatives and staff. We are actively seeking opportunities to present at future conferences.
Future Development
Future development should focus on continuing to embed reminiscence into everyday care, extending the approach to additional residents and families, maintaining staff education and mentoring, routinely reviewing observation and feedback data, and addressing practical barriers such as time, communication needs, confidence and language. Continued development of life-story information, personalised reminiscence resources and inclusive approaches for residents would also strengthen the initiative.
