There is something about a story. Something that catches our hearts and refuses to let us go. Have you ever been enraptured by tales of times gone by? Have you ever sat with an older adult and listened to an account of their youth told by them? Memories give flesh and bone to what stories really are and when we give our ears to others in the telling of their lives, we give the gift of caring. We learn. We embrace the past. We see our own origins and the pieces of our past begin to connect. This is why stories are so significant, especially for the elderly. They are often forgotten and their stories are never told. The simple act of listening is a powerful one. It conveys the idea that someone is loved, that they matter.
Champion Home Health Care has the honor of serving elderly patients in Brevard County, FL. From general housekeeping needs to more extensive in-home care, we offer a wide range of services designed to keep the senior in your life home for as long as possible. We’ve had the privilege of listening and being a part of their stories and want to encourage you to spend some time listening. It’s a powerful tool.
There are many ways to preserve the memories of seniors. Some require some technical knowledge and others are quite simple. We encourage family caregivers to collect the stories of their loved ones. Here are some great ways to do just that.
Old Fashioned Recording
If you have a smartphone, you are good to go with this tip. All you have to do is sit with your senior and ask them to share. You can then download the stories directly to your computer and have them preserved forever. You might also want to consider videoing the accounts. This will give you a visual to go along with the memories.
Memory Books
There are several online resources that allow you to collect photos and stories. One such service is Forget Me Not Book. If you have stories to share and photos to go along with them, you can upload them to the site and create a memory book. You can connect with other family members online and they can contribute as well. This service is great for families of those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s because it lets them have an account of their lives and the lives of those closest to them as their own memories begin to fade.
