8 Activities to Evoke, Share and Preserve Memories |

by Reed on December 5, 2012

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Sharing ?remember when? stories warms the heart of every family member in the room as those special moments of shared history are remembered. When a mind-altering disease like Alzheimer?s or dementia begins affecting the memory of someone you love, shared recollections become all the more important.

For someone experiencing memory loss, memories from long ago are usually more vivid and easier to recall than more recent memories. If the person with Alzheimer?s or dementia has trouble recalling specific details from the past or present, you and your family can help remember for them.

Here are eight activity suggestions to evoke, share and preserve memories for your loved one with Alzheimer?s disease:

• Look through old photo albums together.?Point out who you see in the picture and talk about any memories associated with the photo. If your loved one doesn?t seem to recognize what?s pictured, just move on.
• Create a scrapbook.?The act of collecting saved mementos and recording written memories associated with each will not only stimulate fond memories for the person with Alzheimer?s, but it?s also a good opportunity for that person to share and record snippets of personal history for future generations while he or she still can.
• Tell ?I remember when? stories and record them on video.?This is an activity all generations can enjoy doing together. You?ll have fun telling the stories and everyone, including your family member with Alzheimer?s, will be able to enjoy watching the video again and again.
• Re-read saved letters and greeting cards.?Messages full of love and well-wishes endure the test of time. They can stir up positive feelings and memories for a person with Alzheimer?s as they?re read again and again.
• Pass family heirlooms on to the next generation.?When objects that have been in the family for a long time get handed down, the stories associated with it get handed down too. If possible, have the person with Alzheimer?s share how he or she acquired the item, how long it has been in the family, and what makes it special.
• Listen to music associated with your loved one?s younger years.?Music has the power to reach past the mind and touch the soul. Even if your loved one with Alzheimer?s can no longer remember details from the present or past, familiar music can have a soothing, therapeutic effect.
• Create a map of your family?s genealogy and record any information about prior generations that your loved one may still remember.?Your loved one with Alzheimer?s is likely one of the only living links to your family?s past history. Take time to compile important information about your family?s heritage while you still can.
• Bake that special family recipe together.?Favorite family traditions often revolve around food. Since the sense of smell has the strongest and most direct connection to memory, the smell of good food cooking can trigger wonderful memories for your loved one with Alzheimer?s.

For other ideas and?best practices for evoking memories?to benefit a family member with dementia, visit the?Help for Alzheimer?s Families?website.

For more information or to get answers to your questions, please contact your Home Instead Senior Care office serving The Greater Pittsburgh, PA area.?

Source: http://eldercarepgh.com/8-activities-to-evoke-share-and-preserve-memories/

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