PERSONAL HISTORIES WHERE TO START

‘Memory books’ can help older loved ones recall their past

F amily photo albums can help jog an elderly friend or relative’s memories, but consider taking the photo book idea one step further: Create a “memory book” that combines personal photos with brief family stories and historical information.

These can be used to help people struggling with memory loss, and give younger family members a window into older relatives’ lives.

Memory books are also useful in helping older people introduce themselves to caregivers and provide topics for conversation, says Ann Norwich, director of the adult gerontology nurse practitioner program at York College of Pennsylvania.

By illustrating and explaining details from the person’s past, Norwich says, the books cue caregivers and other visitors to ask better questions. That can prolong positive conversation.

You can make a memory book by hand with scrapbooking supplies, but creating one online might be more practical: It can be reprinted if it’s misplaced or damaged, and you can make copies for other family members.

Many websites, including Shutterfly.com and Blurb.com, offer templates for photo books. Choose one that offers page layouts with plenty of space for text.

The cost will vary depending on the length of the book, and the quality of the cover and paper.

CHOOSING YOUR SUBJECT

It’s helpful to narrow down your project to one subject — for instance, one decade in your relative’s life, or the various cities where they’ve lived. Consider what was important to your relative, perhaps asking other family members what memories might bring the most joy to your relative now.

One fun option: Focus on the events that happened in your relative’s life when they were in their 20s. Gwynn Morris, associate professor of psychology at Meredith College, says researchers have found that our clearest memories are those of early adulthood. This “reminiscence bump,” Morris says, may mean that an elderly relative can tell you book-worthy stories about their experiences as a teen or 20-something, even if they’re having trouble remembering more recent experiences.

You might also want to focus on moments when your friend or relative achieved something important to them or made a difference in the lives of others.

Whatever aspect of their life you choose to focus on, spend some time asking them questions and, with their permission, record the conversation. If they have photo albums, page through those with them and see if they can identify faces and places.

Then interview other family members about the same topic or era, and ask for any related photos they might have.

PHOTOS BY MELISSA RAYWORTH VIA AP Family memorabilia and historical photographs on a table in Allison Park, Pa. If elderly family members struggle to remember faces in old photo albums, consider scanning those shots and printing them along with brief family stories in what memory...

Historical family photographs on a table in Allison Park, Pa. If elderly family members struggle to remember faces in old photo albums, consider scanning those shots and printing them along with brief family stories in what memory researchers call...

Family memorabilia and historical photographs on a table in Allison Park, Pa. If elderly family members struggle to remember faces in old photo albums, consider scanning those shots and printing them along with brief family stories in what memory...