Too much decoration makes it harder to concentrate on the content. The amount of decoration on each page would depend on what stage of the disease the person is in.If you had your life to live over, what one thing would you do differently? Getting Started What advice do you have for future generations What really makes you “sparkle” or happy?.Are you more comfortable in the company of men, women or pets?.What 3 favorite things would you want on a deserted island?.Did you hold on to the first dollar you ever made, or spend it immediately?.Are you more of a pessimist or optimist?.Do you have a favorite book, movie, song or color?.How did you enjoy spending New Year’s Eve or your vacation?.Most important lesson learned from life.Graduation and subjects liked and disliked in school.How they spent their time as a child: hobbies, pets, sports, friends, church.Schools they attended - favorite subjects, teachers, pranks.

Community they lived in - was it famous for something or major businesses?.

Names of parents and their occupations - did they immigrate?.

Many recall their childhood better than more recent times, so include as much as possible.

If persons are not able to give you these answers, then try to answer them as you think they would.

Ask other family and friends to share what they like and admire about them.

Ask them what they want other people to know about them.

Ask persons with Alzheimer’s what they feel proud of in their life.

Provides opportunities for pride and enhanced self-esteem.

Promotes well-being, validation and celebration of a person.A security tool when person is taken to unfamiliar places such as the hospital.A distraction technique for refocusing during difficult symptoms.A history of a person’s past life experiences.Presented by: Connie Lucas, Program SpecialistĪlzheimer’s Association, Greater Iowa Chapter Life Stories for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease: Making a Memory Book †

Teacher notes for memory book