At English Rose, life stories are one of the most important tools we have for communication and making connections with each resident. Each day, we strive to bring comfort, joy, and purpose to our residents, and it all starts with the life story.
Although life stories and autobiographical memory have become commonplace in person-centered dementia care, what differentiates their use at English Rose is the team approach we employ to incorporate our residents’ life stories into our daily care practice.
Since life story work is at the core of our practice at English Rose, engaging in a systematic review of its importance is essential to understanding how we care for your loved ones.
What Is a Life Story in Dementia Care?
A life story is a concise summary of a person’s life, encompassing significant individuals, events, characteristics, activities, beliefs, and interests. It provides a history and understanding of who the person is, especially when Alzheimer’s or another dementia impacts their ability to share this information about themselves, including their likes and dislikes.
As a person’s Alzheimer’s or other dementia symptoms progress, they risk losing many aspects of their dignity, integrity, and well-being. However, the use of life stories is a crucial element in dementia care, as it enhances our ability to see the person beyond the dementia, contributing positively to their overall well-being.
The English Rose Life Story Form: “What Makes Me Unique?”
Before a resident moves in, we ask their loved ones to complete the comprehensive “What Makes Me Unique” life story form, which gathers information about all aspects of a person’s life with questions and topics including, but not limited to:
- What makes your loved one feel valued?
- What are “habits of a lifetime” that highlight routines and activities that bring them joy?
- Has there been any life trauma, and what triggers it?
- What are the traditions and rituals for each holiday?
- Educational background, work history, and any involvement in systematic review processes, including moments of personal and professional growth
- Description of their childhood relationships and memories, often explored through life story work
- Key life events
- Recreational activities and hobbies
- Favorite foods
Why Life Stories Are So Important at English Rose
We use life stories to learn about an individual’s life before the effects of dementia progressed, a process critical for any dementia caregiver. We “dig deep” because we want to really get to know the person and what brings them joy. We want to know if that person eats bacon, eggs, and toast every day, or if they enjoy taking long walks in nature, or if they enjoy knitting, or if they dislike certain foods or activities.
We also want to know if they have had any traumatic experiences in their lives, possibly explored through a systematic review of their personal history and gathering detailed information about their past. According to Vicki Martini, vice president, English Rose, “Knowing both the joys and the sorrows of their lives helps us make that immediate connection with them, and it helps us find their comfort through effective communication.
If someone used to walk two miles a day, they could still do that while living here, and it’s important for their health that they continue to do those things that nurture their soul.”
The English Rose Experience
The English Rose Experience includes personalized care for those living with dementia. Once the life story form is completed and before a resident moves in, we meet with all staff members working with the individual to discuss the importance of family support in their care journey. As a team, we perform a systematic review of the life story and develop an information-based social care plan along with the medical care plan, ensuring the health and growth of the resident is prioritized.
Marilyn Hartman, Admissions Director, states, “With a 1-3 staff to resident ratio, our staff really gets to know each resident they are caring for. Even though many of our residents with advanced dementia struggle with recalling aspects of their autobiographical memory, through the use of the life story, we can bring dignity and purpose to their day.”
Martini recalls learning about a resident who used to be a homemaker and took great pride in cooking dinner and setting the table. As a result, her dementia caregivers would have her help set the table. “When we all get up in the morning, we need a purpose. We have to help our residents with their purpose. Knowing that this was important and meaningful to this resident, we were able to engage her in this activity, and we were able to give her a purpose every day.”
Through the use of life stories, Martini states, “I have met so many wonderful people, and when I learn about what they’ve done and all the lives they touched, I feel honored to care for our residents.”
