“Too many Australians in nursing homes will end their lives in the company of people who never knew them before they were residents, who have little knowledge of who they used to be, what their lives were like” – John Watkins

We all enjoy talking to people about our lives and sharing our stories with others and the creation of a life story provides the opportunity for people with dementia to be proud about their experiences and the lives they’ve lived. When we create a life story for a person with dementia we are showing genuine interest and listening to their story which lets them know they are being seen and valued as an individual. The person with dementia is not the only one who benefits from the process.

This picture has a story to tell – unfortunately we don’t know who she is?

In a residential setting, having a life story and enabling staff to see your loved one within the context of their entire life and beyond the physical and practical needs that are presented provides more opportunities for meaningful connections. Transferring the knowledge you as a carer hold into a life story will enable staff to better understand your loved one’s individual needs and preferences.

“One means of seeing clients with dementia as individual people, and gaining insight into their lives, is through listening to the stories they tell” Russell and Timmons

In the context of dementia life stories are often helpful in supporting staff to better understand behaviours which can impact greatly on an individual’s health, well-being and experience. After hearing a person with dementia’s life story a caregiver  will often replace the word patient with person, indicating that they see the resident differently and within the context of their lives.

Benefits of creating a Lifestory for People with Dementia

  • Improve the quality of life through the impact of ‘being listened to’ and being heard
  • Recalling positive memories of past can will contribute to contentment in the present
  • Facilitate communication between the person with dementia and their families
  • Supporting caring staff in seeing your loved one beyond their dementia diagnosis
  • Maintaining the identity and personhood of the person with dementia
  • Assist in formulating individualised and person-centred care
  • Support the management of distraction from anxiety and behaviours
  • Develop more meaningful relationships between family, staff and residents
  • Assist in making the transition from home to residential care
  • Reduced stress experienced by the caregiver

“I want to ask her who they are whilst she can still remember” (Clarke, Hanson and Ross)

To assist with this natural process and provoke memories that may be difficult to remember several photographs are carefully chosen and included in a person with dementia’s life story book. Creating a life story can have an enriching effect on everyone involved often improving relationships between families, people with dementia and their carers. At Reflections, Lifestories and Counselling the creation of a life story book is individualised and families can be as involved as little or as much as they like in the process.

References

Barry, J. (1988). Autiobiographical Writing: An effective Tool for Practive with the Oldest Old. Social Work, 449-451.

Clarke, A., Hanson, E.J.,and Ross, H. (2003). Seeing the person behind the patient: enhancing the care of older people using a biographical approach. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 12, 697-706.

McKeown J . , Clarke A. , Ingleton C. , Ryan T. & Repper J . (2010). The use of life story work with people with dementia to enhance person centred care. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 148-158. doi:doi: 10.1111/j.1748-3743.2010.00219.x

Russell, C and Timmons, S. (2009). Life Story work and nursing home residents with dementia. Nursing older people, 21(4).

Watkins, J. (2016, May 16). The invisible aged: the people politics forgot. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/16/the-invisible-aged-the-people-politics-forgot

Woods, B. (2013). Well-being and dementia – how can it be achieved? Quality in ageing and older adults, 13(3), 205-211. doi:DOI 10.1108/14717791211264214