Prompts for Interesting Conversation when Visiting Someone in a Nursing Home

How many brothers and sisters do you have? How many are still alive today?
What is the one thing you were afraid of when you were a small child?
What are you most afraid of now?
If you could live your life over again, would you? Why or why not?
If you could change any part of your body, what would you change?
Are you afraid to die?
What do you think will happen to you when you die?
What did the house you grew up in look like?
What makes you cry and feel sad?
What song makes you feel happy?
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Who was your best friend when you were growing up? Tell me about that person.
If you could have any view in the world from your bed, what would it be?
Looking back, if you could have been nicer to one person in your life, who would it be?
What was the craziest (or dumbest) thing you ever did in your youth? Would you do it again if you had the chance?
If you had to describe yourself as a child in one word, what would it be?
If you had to pick one thing in your life that turned out just as you expected it would, what would it be?
Who chose your children’s names?
What is the most unexpected thing about how your life turned out?
What one thing about your country makes you proudest?
What is your favorite amusement park ride?
What is meanest thing you ever did as a child?
What are you most grateful for today?
Who is the person you miss the most right now?
What was the job that you enjoyed least?
What is the one thing about your country that makes you angriest?
What is the most disturbing sound you know of?
What is the thing you know the most about?
What is the best thing you ever tasted?
What’s the oldest you’d like to live to?
Who is the most amazing woman you know, personally? Why?
What is the least amount of money you’d have to have to consider yourself rich?
What one thing would you most like to happen tomorrow?
What is the worst emotional pain you ever suffered?
What is the thing that gives you the most joy in the world?
When did you have the most fun in your life?
When did you look most beautiful?
What really bugs you?
What are you proud of that you have done in your life?
What is your favorite color?
What color accessories do you prefer (purse, jewelry, shoes)
What color was your hair as a child? Did you ever wish you had been born with a different hair color?
What was your favorite hairstyle and hair length?
Right now, what is on your mind?
What is the one invention that amazes you the most?
What is something that no one knows about you?
If the phone were ringing right now, who would you want it to be?
What is happening in the world today that really worries you?
Did you think you were pretty when you were a teenager?
Who did you like to dance with?
What dance did you like to do when you were a teenager or young adult?
If you could have performed on the stage, what would you have liked to do?
When were you the loneliest in your life?
Which relative who has passed on would you like to see again?
Places (cities or areas) you have lived (in order)
What was your best subject in school? Did you get good grades?
If you could have had any job, what would you have liked to do?
Describe a perfect winter day
How did you meet your closest friend? What was her/his name?
What is your favorite smell? What do you associate with that smell?
Do you ever talk to yourself? What do you say?
Do you know a secret about someone? Who?
What food do you never get tired of eating?
What gives you the creeps?
Do you like your first name? If not, what would you have changed it to?
What makes you laugh?
If you could, how often would you bathe? Brush your teeth?
What is the best thing to wear after taking a bath or shower?
If you could go back to your childhood home right now, which room would you want to see again? Why?
In what position do you like to sleep?
Under what conditions would you get a divorce?
What is your worst habit?
Describe each of your children in one word (list child’s first name and the description)
What are some places your father took you?
Where did you go together as a family when you were a child?
Who was your favorite aunt or uncle? Why?
How are you like your mother? Your father?
Describe your wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses.
Give a brief description of your husband.
What was the best quality about your husband?
If you could spend one minute talking to your husband right now, what would you say?
Describe your wedding day (weather, who was there, where were you married….)
What unusual cures did your mother use for the flu or sickness when you were a child?
Where did your grandparents live? What was their home like?
Do you remember any of your old addresses or phone numbers?
Do you remember what were you doing when you heard (pick one) World War II ended? Pearl Harbor was attacked? JFK was shot?
What was your first job? How much money did you make?
Did you ever live on or visit a farm? Have you ever milked a cow?
What pet(s) did you have growing up? Do you remember their names?
If you could have any animal as a pet right now, what animal would you want?
Who in your family do you most resemble?
How did you and your children decorate the Christmas tree?
When did you learn to drive? Who taught you? Were you scared?
What is your favorite Scripture story?
Do you pray? How often?
Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror? What do you think about your looks?
Who was your first love? Do you remember your first kiss?
When you were sick, how did your mother make you feel better?
What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you achieve that goal? Why or why not?
If you could live your life over again, would you?
If you could revisit one day as a child, what day would it be?
Which of your brothers or sisters got the most attention from mom and dad?
How old do you think you will be when you die?
Did you ever wear an evening gown? For what event?
How many men have you kissed in your life (other than family)?
When were you most proud of your children?

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Prompts for Interesting Conversation when Visiting Someone in a Nursing Home