Recalling Childhood Memories when Living with a Dementia
Reminiscing about our childhood reminds us of some of the best times in our lives. People living with memory loss due to a dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, may struggle to recall daily events, but thrive when they are able to share stories from their past. Often, due to the repetitiveness of the stories, families and friends tire of hearing these lived experiences, and may express frustration and even anger toward the person, thus snuffing out an opportunity to share in a joyful moment.
These “long” term memories stay with us the longest, as they have been stored in the brain for 60 or 70 years and are often related to a time when a person felt proud or especially happy. Details of the stories may not be accurate, and the perhaps may say the wrong place the memory occurred. But it is important to know the storyteller is not lying, but merely filling in the blanks so the story flows. Correcting the person about “an inaccurate fact” will only bring shame and embarrassment.
Sharing meaningful stories is important to everyone. Because people living with a dementia has difficulty joining in on conversations, the stored memories of the past is the their best strategy to stay engaged with others. So the next time your family member or friend delves into a childhood memory that is repeated daily, take the opportunity to validate the person’s memory rather than correct the memory. People living with memory loss may forget who you are, but they never forget how you make them feel.
If you would like more information about our Memory Ministry, Memory Cafe or Family and Friends Workshops, please contact Vicky at vpitner@firstumc.org.