Claire Hershey

Activity: Storytelling
Sources:
Alzheimer’s Association. (2019). Stages of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Association. Retrieved
from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/stages
Anderson, J. (2012). 5 Innovative Alzheimer’s Therapies. A Place for Mom, Inc. Retrieved from
https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/innovative-alzheimers-therapies/
NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias education and Referral (ADEAR) Center. (2017).
Adapting Activities for People with Alzheimer’s Disease. NIA. Retrieved from
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/adapting-activities-people-alzheimers-disease
TimeSlips Creative Storytelling Inc. (2019). Make Up a Story. Retrieved from
https://www.timeslips.org/categories

Equipment Needed: printed out pictures or a way to display them on a screen (some way so that
everyone can see)

Activity Description:
1. Have everyone start out with a packet of the same group of pictures, or have the pictures
displayed in a way that everyone can see the same picture. These can just be simple stock
images found on Google of people in different locations or doing different activities, or
there is a website where you can purchase booklets of images (TimeSlips).
2. Go around in a circle, or have people volunteer. When their turn, they will look at the
picture and come up with a little story for what they think is going on. It can be elaborate
or as simple as saying “This is Linda and she is happy”.
3. Go around until you get through all the pictures.

Interaction Pattern:
This activity has an aggregate interaction pattern. There is no competition and they are
individually coming up with stories for the pictures while in the company of the rest of the group
who are all looking at the same pictures. This is a great way to be creative but not have too much
pressure.
Adaptations:
1. One adaptation could be to have people break up into groups of two, or just smaller
groups so they aren’t put on the spot and can work together to come up with a story. They
might be able to come up with a longer story if they are working together.
2. Another adaptation could be to use pictures that are meaningful to the participants.
Maybe put up a picture of their families or friends and call on them to make up a story
when it is on their family/friends to help them remember important people in their lives.
You could also maybe include pictures of activities that they used to enjoy, or still enjoy!
3. You could also include some helpful questions at the bottom to help keep them focused
on the task and to help them come up with a story. Some examples could be, “What is
this lady doing? Where is she? Can you give her a name?”.