Family members of someone with Alzheimer’s know how frustrating and upsetting it can be when that person can’t recall shared experiences. Memory loss is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, as proteins that contribute to cell death and tissue loss first attack those areas in the brain.
As one who has worked with individuals for years, I can attest to the benefit of helping individuals needing memory care find a voice. Being able to express themselves is therapeutic, and it helps remind the caretaker of the personality and vibrancy of the person before them.
NPR aired an excellent piece May 14 that highlights an approach to drawing out the person with memory loss. It centers around storytelling, one of the most ancient forms of communicating and building shared experiences of our world.
The piece highlights a program called TimeSlips, where a facilitator invites people with Alzheimer’s to look at a picture and invent a storyline. Instead of pressing them to use a faculty that’s no longer accessible, it draws on existing creativity and gives them an opportunity to engage. The exercise helps draw out people who tend to become isolated as their disease progresses and creates a common ground for communicating.
The best part about TimeSlips is you don’t have to be trained to do this program. You just need a few fun images and the time to see where they take you and your loved one. To hear the NPR story, click here and be prepared to smile.