Alzheimer’s erases priceless memories. As the disease progresses, a person will lose the ability to remember and to communicate effectively. Sometimes your memories are the only reminder of who a loved one is. Now is the time to record the memories of your loved ones, in their own words.
- If your loved ones are comfortable, you could make videos of them recalling how they met their life partner, what their wedding was like, the birth of their children, and other significant events during their lifetime. If turning on a video recorder makes your loved ones uncomfortable, try using an audio recorder or writing down what they say.
- Don’t neglect to record childhood memories. Children and grandchildren will love hearing about “the way it was.” Have your loved ones sing songs they can remember and recite poems learned in school. Encourage them to talk about clothes they wore, chores they disliked, and games they played. Not only will these memories be a comfort for family and friends when your loved ones can no longer remember, but they will also give you valuable information for when your loved ones regress to a past time period.
- Find out what their favorite color is, and their favorite songs. Track down tapes or CDs of their favorite music.
- If your loved ones haven’t kept up with photo albums, now is a good time to get the pictures organized. Enlist the help of relatives so everyone is identified.
- Find out the names of significant people, and how to contact them.
- Think about favorite dishes – and have them write down the ingredients while they can still remember.
- Ask your loved ones for their grandchildren’s birth dates or friends’ anniversaries, and start compiling a list now.
- Do your loved ones enjoy attending weekly church services? Are they involved in a club? Help them go there as long as possible. Maybe it’s appropriate to throw an appreciation party while they can still understand and participate.
- Visit them often, create new memories, and let them know you care.
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