Journey Back Home

This exploratory study looked at recollection of past places by residents with dementia in long-term care settings. Interviews were done with family members of the selected residents to gather place-related information. Verbal and visual prompts were used to conduct guided conversations with thirteen residents with dementia. Personally meaningful visual prompts were effective in triggering place-oriented past experiences among the residents. Substantive themes of the recollections include “childhood homes,” “holding onto emotions,” and “emergent present.” It is argued that place-based recollection can be a therapeutic activity for people with dementia.