Preparing the Alzheimer’s Patient’s Life Story

Preparing the Alzheimer’s patient’s life story has a two-fold purpose.  It serves as a family memento and a way for caregivers to know more about that person.

As I’ve mentioned before (http://alzheimersnotes.com/treasuring-alzheimers-patients-memories/ ), this is a good way to learn more about your family member’s life.  Their memory often dwells on the past and information you may never have heard before becomes available.

Also, having a scrapbook or photo album of people and places in the Alzheimer’s patient’s life – today and yesterday – helps give the caregiver a way to relate and know what world the person may be living on a particular day.  This helps the caregiver whether at home or in a nursing home.

When Mother moved to the nursing home, the staff asked me to bring in a simple photo album with pictures of places and people in her life.  My labeling the photos and giving brief details, gave the nurses and aides something to converse about with Mother.

Creating these memory albums can become a family activity and bring to mind enjoyable times.