If your loved one was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another type of memory loss disease, it can be a heart-breaking diagnosis. You have likely already started to notice some of the early signs of forgetfulness or frustration when their thoughts begin to escape them.
Luckily, with new advancements in technology and medication, aging seniors have new options to help combat the progression of memory-related illness. A new trend that has started to become popular is creating a memory book. The goal of a memory book is to collect the personal life story of your loved one that they can look through and be reminded of important things throughout their life.
A memory book can identify family members to help your loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s identify and remember their family and how they are related to them. You can also collect their likes/dislikes, work history, hobbies, politics, and more.
Families will often use a memory book for their own memories to be preserved around their loved one that could be forgotten if it isn’t documented somewhere. Memory books can also create a way for you to refocus your loved one when they have harder times with tough symptoms. Memory-related illnesses can create moments of stress, confusion, and uneasiness for your loved one and a memory book can redirect their attention to something more familiar.
You can create your own memory book with a three-ring binder or purchase one with prompts to fill out with your loved one online. If you make your own, you can make the creation of the memory book be a crafting collaboration with your loved one and become a memory itself. We recommend that you begin to create the memory book as soon as possible after your loved one has received their diagnosis. Each person will progress differently through the disease and you don’t want to lose any precious memories if your loved one’s memory loss, unfortunately, progresses faster than anticipated.
Memory books can really be helpful for your loved one and your extended family. Whether it is used as an aid to redirect your loved one when they encounter anxiety from the effects of Alzheimer’s or helping family document amazing memories.
