the power of a reminisart

A reminisart filled with photos of your loved one's journey is something you create for them, and is all about them. It helps them stay connected to the abundant life they lived, feel proud of their accomplishments, and hold on to their sense of self. Familiar photos that they see every day will help ground them, and make a room their room.

When you put a reminisart in your loved one's room, you're also helping them make connections in other ways that are vital to their well-being.

If you worry about them living amongst strangers, a reminisart makes a smashing first impression in the community. There may be parts of their life journey that some people share, and others wish they shared! Photos will resonate with their new neighbours, and maybe some will notice that youthful spirit in their heart. The connections that come into existence through your loved one's photos will help them feel acknowledged and, most importantly, like they belong, easing isolation and loneliness. 

When you build a reminisart for your person, you're helping your family stay connected to them when you can't be there. Behind the scenes, something wonderful happens when you gather photos for a reminisart—you give your family, your siblings, your kids something productive to do. It's easy to feel helpless, especially now. Coming together to chat over which photos to include in the collage becomes a moment for you to bond over your shared affection for the star in the photos.

We know that children dread visiting seniors in care because that world is so far away from their own. But seeing a photo of their grandparent as a kid closes that gap. Kids might even see themselves in their grandparent's shoes—well, different looking shoes—creating a connection that can spark a conversation spanning three generations!  

You've probably noticed your loved one's memories work better in the past, and falter in the present. They can confidently recall stories behind old photos in great detail. For a senior whose words are often mixed up or forgotten, being able to tell a whole story about their life helps them feel important, acknowledged, and successful, which is a lovely thing.

Especially if your person is living with dementia or can no longer speak, a reminisart lets them tell their story without having to.

A reminisart is a supporting tool for care teams. Care teams are skilled at balancing a resident's clinical and therapeutic needs with who they are as a person. The more your team knows about your loved one, the easier it is to keep them comfortable and content. Photos showcasing your person's background, their personality, their sense of style, in the heyday of their social worlds—all these things that may be hidden now—will help your care team understand your loved one better, deepen the connection with them, and support your family better, too. 

So whether your loved one is in retirement living with a sharp mind and a slowing body, or in memory care, a reminisart showing them at the prime of life helps them hold on to their sense of self, feel proud of the life they’ve led, and feel happy about what remains in their heart.