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Storytelling is an effective tool in providing people with dementia, who often have difficulty organizing their thoughts, a way to communicate. It stimulates the brain, encourages memory retention, builds self-esteem, and enables them to engage with friends and family members in an intimate way.
Storytelling 101
Look at pictures from magazines and have seniors make up stories about the photos. It allows them to use their creative side with no right or wrong answer.
Journaling
It’s never too late for a senior to tell their story. Encourage them to journal by asking probing questions about different periods in their life. If they are unable to write down their recollections, do it for them. Read it back to them at times when they are feeling especially confused.
Reminisce with Photos
For people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, family photos can help stimulate memories. Happy images can allow them to reminisce about pleasant times and different people who touched their lives. Adding music, especially music from the era when someone was young, can also help prompt memories.
Let the Memories Begin
With extra time on our hands, this is a perfect opportunity for grandparents and grandchildren to create a memory book that will be a cherished keepsake for generations to come.
“Bridging generations with a memory book”
