Life History Books
Creating a communication tool
Do you know someone who:
-needs help remembering?
-has trouble staying on topic?
-can’t find the words they want
-has difficulty understanding you
-has lots of stories to tell?
A Life History Book can
enhance conversation,
trigger memories and
redirect negative behaviours.
Life History Books can be
used to answer repetitive
questions. Visual reminders
of answers to frequently
asked questions are
comforting and calming.
Life History Books provide
something to talk about so
that conversations can be
longer and more meaningful.
pages from Audrey’s Life History Book
5
Creation of a Life History Book involves interviewing to find out what’s
important. The “book” can be printed or on a tablet .
Photos must be chosen and text formatted. An access plan is essential to ensure everyone uses the book.
Click on the Life History Book icons to more information about each section.
Click the icon to return to this page.
Interviewing
The first step of creating a Life History Book is to interview the person and their family. Patience, sensitivity and a willingness to listen are necessary. ASK ABOUT:
Family names - spouse, children, brothers and sisters, grand children friends Pet names Places - born, lived, travelled to, family homes education occupations hobbies clubs church special honours, occasions
Bourgeois, M (2014) Memory & Communication Aids for People with Dementia
Interviewing
DementiaUK has a free Life Story template that could be used for interviewing. It’s available for download at https://www.dementiauk.org/for-healthcare-professionals/free-resources/life-story-work/
Thompson R. (2011) Using life story work to enhance care. Nursing Older People 23 (8): 16-21
Categories in this template
childhood working life significant relationships significant places social activities and interests life events
Including the Here and Now
food & drink preferences personal care music TV shows hobbies staff
Interviewing
You could take a timeline approach to interviewing and fill in from birth to now with important events
1932 1954 2016 1958
Users of Life History Books often have difficulty with vision and attention. Elaborate photo albums are often confusing and not useful as communication tools.
PHOTO selection tips
only one photo per page clear images 3 or fewer people per photo
Life History Book users can often read single words and phrases. Labels help with recall and word retrieval.
Caption tips:
Trial text size with user to make sure it’s large enough.
Use short, simple sentences
Provide names of people and places
Use the users own words when possible
Using a tablet to create and share your Life History Book is easy and has advantages
Favourite music can be included along with photos and text
Text can be read aloud by the tablet to assist users with low vision or literacy
Backlighting of photos can help those with poor vision
Pictello on itunes
Make a digital book using Pictello app from the App store on your Apple device
Pictello on itunes
Make a digital book using Pictello app from the App store on your Apple device
Add a photo
Pictello on itunes
Make a digital book using Pictello app from the App store on your Apple device
Add text to aid memory and word retrieval
Add sound to speak the text or play music
Pictello on itunes
Make a digital book using Pictello app from the App store on your Apple device
Make multiple books to share with different friends, family and caregivers
Story Creator on Google Play
Make a digital book using Story Creator app from Google Play on your Android tablet
Story Creator on Google Play
Make a digital book using Story Creator app from Google Play on your Android tablet
Add a photo and text to a page
Story Creator on Google Play
Make a digital book using Story Creator app from Google Play on your Android tablet
Use the pen tool
Story Creator on Google Play
Make a digital book using Story Creator app from Google Play on your Android tablet
Add sound to speak the text or play music
Story Creator on Google Play
Make a digital book using Story Creator app from Google Play on your Android tablet
Make multiple books to share with different friends, family and caregivers
A Life History Book is a communication tool. Users should be able to locate their books independently. The book should be visible to all communication partners.
DO: hang on a hook by a favourite chair attach to wheelchair bring with you on outings to restaurants and waiting rooms attach to a necklace or walker store on a hook on the wall make backup copies DON’T:
put away in a drawer use original copies of photos
Resources
www.dementia.uk.org Thompson R. (2011) Using life story work to enhance care. Nursing Older People 23 (8): 16-21
Bourgeois, M (2014) Memory & Communication Aids for People with Dementia
Alzheimer Society alzheimer.ca
Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centreswww.nshsc.nshealth.ca1-888-780-3330
Thank you toAudrey Langille and her daughter, Linda Churchill,
for sharing their Life History book.