ABSTRACT
This chapter will take a reflective look at my involvement in the setting up, running and evaluation of memory groups for people with dementia in a day-care setting. I was involved in three different groups over an 18-month period. The experiences during this time will be partly reported here and will form the basis for this chapter’s argument that memory groups are an effective therapy tool for those working with people who have dementia. My experience comes from running memory groups in a day-care setting, but the idea of running memory groups in the community, hospital, long-stay care or other settings is perfectly feasible and worthwhile pursuing. This chapter will concentrate on practical issues such as: setting up a memory group, running a memory group, and the role of the facilitator(s). In addition, time will be spent reflecting on the relative strengths, weaknesses and criticisms of memory groups as a tool and of the work highlighted.
