Preserving Memories: Reminiscing With Older Adults

Everybody loves a good story – especially stories about their own family and its history. Some of the very best tellers of tales are your family's senior generation. People with memory problems or chronic illnesses are often very capable of remembering and sharing stories about the good old days.   With a little prodding senior relatives can regale younger generations with yarns about growing up during the Depression, serving in the military during wartime, traveling by train instead of a plane, immigrating to a new country, and other memories of their younger days.

BENEFITS OF REMINISCING

Older adults enjoy talking about the past – especially when their audience is their grandchildren. Although people with memory disorders like Alzheimer's have trouble recalling recent events, they often have excellent recollections of events that occurred decades ago.

Children of all ages love to hear stories about the "olden days" – especially tales about their parents when they were young. Storytelling is a great way for older and younger generations to connect. Your kids will develop a sense of pride in their unique family history and traditions. Their grandparents will enjoy sharing their life stories with an attentive audience.

PRESERVING FAMILY MEMORIES

As a caregiver you may be interested in documenting your relative's life story to preserve your family's history for future generations. Some questions you might ask to get your parent talking about the past:

• When and where were you born?
• Where did you live when you were growing up?
• Did you serve in the military?
• Where did you go to school?
• What were your favorite school subjects?
• What are some of your favorite songs?
• What can you remember about your own parents and other relatives?
• Did you have any pets when you were growing up?
• What are your favorite family recipes?
• How did you meet my mother/father?
• What church did you attend?
• What did you parents do for a living?
• Who taught you to drive? What was your first car?

Try these activities to spark a talk down memory lane:

• Sort family photos. Ask your parent to identify people and places in the pictures and help you put them in an album.
• Check out old movies and TV shows from the library and watch them with older relatives and your kids.
• Play CDs or tapes of tunes that were popular when your parents were growing up.
• Browse flea markets, thrift stores, and antique shops for old kitchen utensils, tools, clothes and furniture. Ask older relatives how much these items cost when they were young.
• Visit the neighborhood where you or your relative grew up. Is it the same as it was when you lived there? How has it changed?
• Cook a meal together. Reminisce about your parent's favorite dishes, holiday meals, and recipes. 

LINKING THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

Sharing stories and memories about the past is important for your family's older and younger generations. Reminiscing encourages older adults to look back at their lives and take pride in the things they have accomplished during their lifetimes. If your relative is depressed or upset, talking about the good old days is a good way to lift their spirits.

When you and your family hear tales of the past you may discover interesting things about older relations that you didn't know. You'll also have a better understanding of the people and events that made your parents who they are today.

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