The Greatest Story You Have

Stories also have a way of transporting us back in time. Imagine how your aging loved one would feel getting lost while retelling the wonderful stories from her life. 

Hearing our loved one’s life story teaches us about where we come from and who we are.

You can use your loved one’s life story in your caregiver approach and practices. Key details in her story that can be very helpful in maintaining a healthy relationship, providing reassurance and comfort—particularly during or after a big change, like a move.

Relating back to past experiences where she succeeded or helped another can provide such reassurance for her.

​Your loved one’s life story can also be beneficial in another way. Communicating key details to support staff or support individuals in her life can help reveal qualities about her personality and preferences. How she expresses herself [“Call me Betty” VS “You can call me Mrs. Johnson”], how she sees and responds to circumstances [She was an accountant who prided herself on performance excellence VS she is a fine artist who focused on metal sculpture]. Insights into her preferences: “I would like a snack—something crunchy will do.” VS [“It is time for my 2pm Earl Grey and biscuit."].

Access to one’s Life Story can provide great insight, which is needed for positive and meaningful interactions--—increasing the quality of time spent together. Stories help build an understanding of who your loved one is. What a unique individual she is!