My Life Story Book for older people with dementia is easy to compile, with space for photographs and personal memories – tips for use included.
Our easy-to-complete workbook, designed by Activities to Share, makes a great shared reminiscence activity.
Information can be gathered slowly over a period of time and noted down in the life history book. Photos or pictures can be added where appropriate.
The value of documenting a person’s life history is priceless – here are just some of the benefits.
- Helps to engage family, friends, activity coordinators, and carers with the person and their life, both past and present.
- Serves as a valuable contribution to care planning by focusing on the individual’s needs, preferences, history and lifestyle.
- An ideal way for carers, managers, support staff, and volunteers to make a genuine connection with their residents.
- Provides people with dementia with an improved sense of identity and self-worth.
- Book headings provide a guide for conversation prompts and include: My Precious Memories, My Hobbies and Interests, Favourite Pastimes, Special People, Faith, Significant Dates and many more.
We have included a page of useful guidance notes to assist staff in providing more relevant activities for the individual.
See also Life Story Work With People With Dementia and How to create a life story book for extra guidance and ideas.
- Use as part of a group discussion activity – in small groups of 4 to allow everyone time to talk. Select a page and get each person to talk about their experiences or family members. Can often help older people to expand on what is written down. Keep extra paper (or recording equipment) at the ready to capture the memories.
- If a person is willing, film them taking part in a party or craft activity or discussion and either store on a DVD or save as a secure link and add this to the book.
- Make a special cover for the book – this could be card or fabric. Ask each owner to personalise it with their own design.
- Size: (l) 30cm x (w) 21cm.
- Softback format.
- Over 20 pages printed in black and white.