Working together to create a biography can strengthen the relationship between staff, families and carers.

Creating a life story in a safe and secure environment provides people the opportunity to share their life experiences such as childhood, family, friends, career, interests, beliefs and values, often using music and photographs to stimulate memories. Exploring our past is a natural part of life and provides people with the opportunity to reflect on circumstances that have shaped their lives, gain insight into their strengths and abilities and assists them in challenging the common stereotypes faced later in life.

At Reflections, Lifestories and Counselling we believe all residents in care should have their own life story and people at home can also benefit when going into hospital or respite. A life story can promote individualised care and also assist a person when making that difficult transition into residential care, it gives them a piece of themselves to maintain and the staff a snapshot into the lives they’ve led. Hearing a person’s life story enables care staff to see them in the context of their entire life rather than simply in terms of what stand before them, an aging person with medical and physical care needs.

When support workers have done biography work with their clients they found their relationships with families were also improved, which will benefit all involved. Listening to a person’s story can also be the opportunity for catharsis and a powerful way to show they are valued. It can make such a difference in the relationships that develop and will impact on care provided. As a support person, when we have a better understanding of a person, individual decisions will be influenced by the insight we gain into their personal needs, wishes and aspirations and result in better work satisfaction.

A biographical approach is valued by older people themselves however we can’t forget the love and support that a life story book would give to the family. A care worker from the nursing home said how helpful a resident’s life story had been to his family following his death.

”  I once did a chap’s life story and when he died it was part of his funeral service and his wife – who’s still here – she’s got it at the side of her bed so she can read it when she wants”.

Other Benefits include

  • Allowing staff to see the person beyond the diagnosis
  • Fulfill the desire for staff and carers to know more about the people they were caring for
  • Facilitate communication between the person with dementia and their families
  • It can also be the basis for the formulation of person-centred evaluations and care plans
  • Knowledge of people’s life stories can assist in the exploration of residents’ needs and behaviours