This book is a must-read for anyone contemplating to invest in innovation of contemporary elderly care institutions and nursing homes. It presents compelling arguments as to why a reminiscence museum is such a powerful medium to enrich a senior citizen’s mind, heart and soul.


In its fourteen chapters, lavishly illustrated with vivid colour photographs of countless period objects, you will learn about the important role a reminiscence museum can play as a place where elderly people can feel at home. Hands Off Not An Option! is a title inspired by the basic principle that such museum objects are explicitly displayed to be touched and handled. These tangible experiences stimulate memories and serve as conversation pieces for the elderly, their family and their care-givers.

The author outlines his unique and thought-provoking Humanistic Care philosophy, which presupposes that sharing memories is one of the vital ingredients for a happy and fulfilled old age. The book offers guidelines for care professionals, teachers and even museum managers who wish to design a reminiscence museum themselves.

Hans Becker (1942) has served as Chairman of the Board of the Humanitas Foundation Rotterdam, and as Professor of Humanizing Care at the Utrecht University for Humanistics, the Netherlands. He is the author of a.o. “The Art of Living in Later Life” (Eburon, 2003).