Dementia is hard. It is frequently long, filled with many challenges, and too few bright spots. Out of personal need, Kathy combined her public health experience and her photo organizing skills to develop specialized photo books for family members struggling with dementia. Through trial and error over a number of years, she learned what the most important components are in a successful “Memory Care Book.”
It can be summed up in one phrase:
We can help
The Photo Organizing Coach can help you create a Memory Care book for someone you love who is dealing with dementia. We’re here to support you and make one part of the journey just a little bit easier.
Families choose a limited number of photos from their collections, focusing on a theme. Include some of the people and things that have been important to their loved one. We take those themes and choose the most appropriate photos to weave into a memory care book.
In later stages of dementia, memory care books are mostly used by the caregivers and visitors of the patient.
We’ve received positive feedback – from relatives who didn’t know what to say on their frequent visits – and hospice volunteers who appreciate having more personal things to talk about with their patients. Especially since these patients can’t tell their own stories anymore. The book speaks for them.
Tips for putting together a memory care book
When putting together a memory care book, here are several tips about what works best:
- Start the book with a photo of the person smiling.
- Then include photos of family, hobbies, major life events OR accomplishments.
- Limit the number of photos per page.
- Use clean and simple design.
- Make sure to include clear captions with every photo.
- Done is better than perfect.
You have so much on your plate right now, don’t over think this process. Don’t feel bad about outsourcing this, or getting whatever help you need.
Samples from Memory Care Books we’ve made
