Share-Time Pictures
therapeutic images for the care industry
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  • Less is More
    As I've mentioned before in relation to an image - less is more. This applies to the viewing of images also. Don't overload a care-recipient with too much visual information. It is tiring and then it becomes boring. We all switch off when a program no longer holds our interest.

    So select which resident/s would like the fun movie, or the quiet version, or who would prefer the longer relaxing movie. And this will change from day to day. A home-carer can use the DVDs in different ways on different days for an individual care-recipient.

    I suggest the fun versions and themed crossword video games are best played in morning activity programs. The longer more relaxing videos are ideal in the afternoon or evening, or for a frail aged person to view when they may not be able to participate in a groups' activities.

  • Some of these DVD Viewing Tips may also be applied to watching television and projector screenings 
  •   Appropriate Selection - View the DVD first yourself or with your team - Choose a movie from the themed DVD that is appropriate to your group or individual. A different movie may be better on any given day for a care-recipient or to suit your planned activities
  •   Quiet Viewing Area - View the DVD movie with your care-recipient in a quiet area
  •   Avoid Distracting Noise - Make sure there are no distracting noises within your care-recipients hearing range
  •   Avoid Distracting Bright Lights - Make sure there are no bright lights or bright windows in the area of the television, behind or to the side, as these will be distracting.
  •   A Softly Dimmed Viewing Area  - Softly dimmed environment is best. A totally darkened room however may be too uncomfortable for a person with dementia 
  •   Avoid Distracting Activities - Make sure there are not other activities taking place within your care-recipients view. These activities can for example include someone cleaning, carers performing duties or other residents' visitors, etc.
  •   Be Prepared - Be ready to pause the movie if your person in care (or group) begins to chat about an image or sequence. It may be an obvious, direct memory stimulation or it may not appear to be related to the subject. We all have memory connections that seem unrelated to others. Just go with the flow of the moment.
  •   Faster, Fun Movies - All our DVDs have a 10-11 minute fun movie on the disc. These movies present video clips and images at shorter viewing times, 3-6 seconds for still images. The music is usually a faster tempo also. Our fun movies include additional footage and the subjects vary between themes. Predictable humour may include: myths, ideology, proverbs or a cliche'. Also some natural occurring bloopers from On Location shoots found in Judi's editing-clip-room. These movies are recommended for a morning activity session.
  •   Relaxing, Reminiscent Movies - Our 28 minute movies are designed for morning, afternoon or evening viewing. They are suitable for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, cognitive disability and also frail aged people. Still images in these movies are presented for 6-12 seconds to support engagement. Some filming sequences are a little longer to provide the opportunity for communication, whether verbal or non-verbal.
  •   Replay the DVD Music - After viewing, replay the DVD but turn the picture off/black. Allow time for relaxation or possible recollection of a movie scene or past experiences
  •   Use our DVD Music as an Activity - Turn television screen to off/black. Select a 28min or 10min movie for its' music and play as a background or opportunity for picturing ideas or reminiscence
  • Keep it Simple - Don 't overload care-recipients with too many images and activities in one sitting
  •   Use a Non-verbal Book - Use a matching themed non-verbal Picture Book with the DVD Film Stills as a support to the viewing experience and assist memory stimulation
  •   Use Film Stills - Use a matching themed DVD Film Still images adhered to cardboard as repetition to support memory stimulation.





 Viewing Suggestions

for HDV Crozzles

Crozzles are included on many DVDs as well

as the Crozzle Collection DVD



  • A THEMED CROSSWORD IS CALLED A CROZZLE
  • Every Crozzle is designed to allow RAOs, DTs, carers and relatives use their TVs in small groups, family settings or one-to-one with a laptop.
  • A carer or therapist can let the puzzle video run automatically or pause on the pictures and clues etc for discussion or extra time for consideration if needed.
  • After the word has been guessed the carer can press the advance search button (>>) on their DVD remote and the full word will be completed automatically.
The puzzle will then automatically move on to the next missing word in  that crossword (with highlighted space) and then picture etc.  Anywhere after a completed word it is OK  to advance again.


  • Most therapists find that residents enjoy spelling out the words though and the letters are spaced to appear on the screen every 3 seconds to allow time for people to say the letter.
  • If a therapist wants to make the puzzle part of a themed discussion then it would be advised to view it first and have other items that are related to the clues to show as well. In this situation the puzzle is a supportive and secondary part of the activity
  • All the Crozzles on the movie DVDs and The Crozzle Collection DVD operate the same way