Beautiful Life restored this photograph to its original grandeur, preserving an important piece of family history at a time when many other special mementos could not be salvaged.   

Leah, a woman from Maryland who has been diagnosed with Vascular Dementia writes about her experiences with memory loss.  Articulate, interesting, and insightful, her blog posts provide an inside glimpse into life with dementia.

Also interesting on the site - www.ouralzheimers.com - are the supportive components available there.  Post questions, create a page offering information to others, or leave Leah a note.

Click here to visit Leah or visit the site ouralzheimers.com.

Contact Beautiful Life today for more information about “A Happy Little Book” for your family and friends!

1.  Parental Pride.  Children need affirmation and approval from their parents.  Written statements in your handwriting, or a home-made video, will be cherished if you are not there in person to offer these things (and sometimes even if you are!)  What are your proudest moments as a parent?  What do you like best about your child?

2.  Your Wishes.  Does your family know who you would want to help care for your children if you and your spouse were no longer able?  How you feel about life support?  If, or where, would you want to be buried?  To whom you would bequeath special family heirlooms?  Answering these questions now saves your family from guesswork and potential conflict at a time when they need it the least.  Give the gift of assurance that your wishes are being followed.

3.  Finished Work.  Is there someone you’ve forgiven, but you haven’t told him or her yet?  Is there something important you’ve been waiting to say, or someone who may not know how important he or she has been to you?  Record it!  Imagine receiving such a message.

4.  Obituary.  Writing obituaries can be very difficult for grieving families.  Write your own now!  What are the highlights of your life?

5.  Letters.  To a spouse, parents, grandparents, friends - Are there words of advice or encouragement to leave for all time?  My big one is that I want my husband to know that I approve of remarriage.  Why leave him to feel guilty or uncertain about it if something happened to me?

Whatever your message, your thoughts, or your wishes, record them, I urge you!  Someday, someone will be grateful for it!

To view the entire book click here.

Click on the images below to see a high quality version.  Pushing CTRL and + on your keyboard will allow you to zoom in. (Books created by Beautiful Life are displayed and used for this purpose only when written permission has been provided by the book subject.)

These sample pages highlight some of Hazel’s stories. Some of the special features of the book included the background created from flowers photographed by Beautiful Life and chosen by Hazel, the use of fabric from Hazels’s bridal gown as well as wedding rings, the family timeline set against national events, and the family tree.

Hazel’s children provided their special memories of her for inclusion in the book, featured at the end.

Beautiful Life can assist families to revive old images captured on film or slides.  These images can be saved, and restored digitally, providing many more years of enjoyment.

Beautiful Life is able to digitize slides and film as well.

Beautiful Life is pleased to announce that the following article will be featured in the March-April issue of the national publication, Home Health Aide Digest. Check back for a link to the publication!

Communication Through History

Wade was a pilot, but now he lives in a care facility. His memory is fading and his words are slipping away, but he is bright and happy when a caregiver or visitor will come with him to look at the pictures on his wall. Then his words come faster and he remembers who he is, a father and former pilot. This is when he feels proud and calm.

Talking with Someone Who Has Memory Loss

Like Wade, many people with memory loss or cognitive impairment may need or want to think about the past, tell an old story, or talk about their families, but they may lack the words or may not remember enough to carry on a conversation.

Here is how you can help:

-Pay attention to the time in your client’s life that he or she finds most pleasant to talk about and easy to remember. It is common for someone with memory loss to remember the most from their early adulthood. When you want to visit, start there.

- Doing something together like looking at old photographs or special belongings, or listening to an old song can be a great way to start a conversation. Memories can be sparked by sights, sounds, smells and touch.

-If you want to ask questions, think of questions that don’t highlight memory loss such as, “What do you think of…?” or “Isn’t this a great picture?” or “How do you feel when you hear this…” These types of questions will not sound like a test.

-Sometimes making a statement, then being quiet will get your client talking. Try, “You look so happy in this picture…” or, “I wonder what it was like to live through the depression…” Perhaps you will spark a thought or a memory, but you have avoided putting someone on the spot.

-Avoid sarcasm, jokes that require context to be understood, or long and complicated descriptions.

-Turn off the radio and television while you visit. For someone with memory loss, distractions can make remembering and speaking more difficult.

-Using a story or experience from your life to keep a conversation going can be good – keep it short, simple and pleasant. Then be quiet!

Using History During Care

-Talking about a happy memory can be a distraction from an unpleasant feeling or experience. For example, if your client hates baths, that may be a good time to talk about a happy memory. Or, if your client is upset about the mail not arriving yet, perhaps it is time to talk about the relative who sent the letter that arrived yesterday.

-Someone with memory loss may find the world to be upsetting and foreign at times. Remembering just one thing that is familiar may be a comfort.

Tricky Spots

Everyone has unhappy memories. Memory loss can make coping with an unhappy experience or memory even more difficult.

Tips for the tricky spots:

-Never promise something you cannot do.

-Watch for agitation and avoid upsetting topics.

-Notify a supervisor if an upsetting topic comes up and your client cannot be calmed.

Uses of Memory Book:

Beatrice remembers life from 1930, but she cannot remember yesterday. She worries about whether the mail has come, whether or not her son has called her yet today or why her car is not in the garage. She talks more and more about these worries. Her neighbors and grandchildren visit less often because they don’t know what to do when Beatrice is upset about these things. Beatrice is not easily reassured or redirected.

A memory book is created for Beatrice. When she is worried, caregivers or her children answer her question or reassure her, then pull out her book and begin to read and review it with her. Soon she is smiling and telling a favorite story.

Memory books are very useful. A family member and the subject of the book can look at them to help start conversations. They can be used by a paid caregiver to get to know their client or to help them feel better when they are upset, lonely or sad.

A family member or caregiver can help someone with memory loss create a memory book in the form of a scrap book. Or, a professional businesses such as Beautiful Life out of Glencoe, Minnesota, create these books.

Beautiful Life works with families to create books that include stories, photos, objects, and compliments from others. Each book is written, designed and published to meet the needs of each subject, including their reading level, vision challenges and/or stage of memory loss or cognitive impairment. Some of the questions Beautiful Life asks to create the books are:

-What makes him happiest?

-What does he liked to talk about most?

-What was she most proud of?

-Who was she closest to?

-What is he known for (accomplishments, strengths and talents)

-What are topics that upset him? (these are left out)

Working with a client who has memory loss or other types of cognitive impairment can be challenging, but using materials such as photographs or memory books can enhance conversations and serve as a bridge to the past.

Biography

Kiessa Webster is a Licensed Social Worker in Minnesota. She has a lifetime of professional and volunteer work with the elderly and individuals with disabilities in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice programs and home care organizations.

Kiessa’s favorite book about communicating with those with memory loss is “Talking to Alzheimer’s: Simple Ways to Connect When You Visit with a Family Member or Friend” by Claudia J. Strauss. This simple and short book has many helpful suggestions.

Beautiful Life is a company that is owned and operated by Kiessa Webster with the goal of making personalized books that bring people together and help them remember the past. Kiessa can work with families of those with memory loss anywhere in the country to create helpful books that inspire pride, memory and connection.

Beautiful Life creates custom wall-hangings that are bright, personal and available in any size. Using photographs of the resident and items that represent his or her past strengths or hobbies, these wall hangings stimulate conversation and mark rooms in a way no other marker can.

Beautiful Life offers contracts with care facilities for life history books as well as custom wall hangings.