MEMORY BOARDS

CUSTOMIZED MEMORY BOARDS

Photos, memory boards, and photo albums are not just simple collections of images; they are gateways to cherished moments and powerful tools for connection. Imagine the joy of looking through your photos that showcases your favorite golf holes, family gatherings, or beloved pets. Each image tells a story, igniting laughter, nostalgia, and warmth in our hearts.

But the impact of these memory-keeping treasures goes far beyond mere enjoyment. They serve as vital resources in combating social isolation and depression, particularly for those facing the challenges of dementia or memory loss. The act of reminiscing can provide comfort and familiarity, creating a sense of belonging and security in a world that may feel increasingly confusing.

Have you considered the profound benefits of using a Customized Memory Board for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias?  

These boards can be tailored to reflect personal experiences, featuring photographs and meaningful quotes that resonate with the individual’s life journey. By engaging with these visual aids, caregivers can foster deeper connections, sparking conversations that may have otherwise been lost.

Imagine the joy on a loved one’s face as they recognize a familiar face or place, igniting memories that bring them comfort. Customized Memory Boards can serve as a bridge to the past, allowing individuals to reconnect with their identities and the people they hold dear. They become more than just decorative pieces; they transform into lifelines of love and remembrance.

Creating these boards can also be a delightful activity for families and caregivers. Gather your favorite photographs, share stories, and collaborate on a project that honors the rich tapestry of a loved one’s life. This shared experience not only strengthens bonds but also cultivates an environment of understanding and compassion.

In a world that often feels disconnected, let us embrace the power of memories. We have the ability to create spaces that celebrate life, love, and connection. Let’s inspire one another to cherish the moments that matter most and to share those memories with those who need them the most. 

Source: Alzheimer's Texas   https://www.txalz.org/blog/powerofphotos/

A Memory Board showcases a collection of customized personal magnets with designs and photos of special items, locations, golf holes, pets and people who they enjoy seeing and remembering.  

It invites people with memory loss to enjoy the magnets, move them around, tell a story, and even take a few magnet memories down to dinner to show their friends.  

The Memory Board may spark some memories and enable real conversations. 

Memory Boards have benefited many individuals living with dementia and other cognitive issues.  Personalized photos on a board also help improve the quality of their lives:

  • May reduce depression, anxiety, and boredom
  • Increases engagement and socialization with family and friends 
  • May provide an alternative to mood-altering medications
  • Provides a meaningful activity for those who are lonely
  • May restore a sense of calm
  • Provides family and professional caregivers with much needed respite


Ways to Use the Power of Photos to Help Lift a Person with Memory Loss and to Reminisce

Source: Alzheimer’s Australia                                                                                       

  • Place photo magnets in chronological order. Organize the memory board around key moments on concentrate on happy occasions to assist with engagement.
  • Show relationships. To help spark recognition of family members, group an area of several photos to each person.  Choose photos that include the person with the family member from different life stages.
  • Select meaningful moments.   Be sure to include photos that reflect the person’s meaningful life moments and depict their favorite hobbies or activities.
  • Make it an activity.  Work with the person moving the magnets around, and share memories and conversation as you do.  
  • Engage in conversation.  Ask open-ended questions about the people or events in the photos.  Tell me about your brother.  What are some of your favorite childhood stories.  Tell me more about this photo.  The answers are less important than the conversation and engagement.  
  • Share your own memories.   As part of the conversation, share your own memories and feelings when looking at the pictures.  
  • Connect, don’t correct.  This is more about making a connection and sharing memories.  Focus on connecting with the person, not correcting them. 
  • Revisit frequently.  Take time to revisit memories using the photos.  Do what works best for the individual.    It may be daily or weekly, depending on the person.
  • Mix it up.  Don’t discuss the same set of photos week after week.   To help keep it fresh and interesting, discuss various parts of the Memory Board with different people and events on a regular basis.
  • Move at a comfortable pace. Follow cues from the individual to gauge their interest level.
  • Making a chronological history of the person with memory loss can help with reminiscing and provides information for people who may interact with them.
  • Each photo needs to be labeled to avoid putting the person with  dementia on the spot with questions such as “Who is that?”