Life Story

Product Information

Details and photos of the foster family (including extended family), home, pets etc., who they got on with and who they didn't; The life story can remain ‘live’ so you can add to or change it over time to ensure it is up to date and relevant

If someone finds it difficult to communicate their life story, other family members and friends may be able to provide key information. You can also try to prompt them by using familiar photos of people or places. The Life Story Book needs to be written and presented in a way that is appealing to the child. It should invite the child into their story and should contain a mixture of scanned photographs, illustrations and colourful clipart;The traditional Life Story Book generally finishes with a little information about the adoptive parents, the adoption hearing and the ‘forever family’. The implication being that the child fully understands these concepts. An honest, sensitive but simple account of the events leading to the placement in a foster home or residential care is part of the child’s story. Again this could refer to the birth parents inability to provide the care a child needed, or to the political policy or economic climate of a particular country. The underlying message for the child should be the same – any abuse or neglect was not their fault.

Ensure that we do not feed into a child sense of shame and self blame in relation to their early experiences; A favourite tune or song can raise a smile or laugh and can ease anxiety. It can also play a key role in helping family, friends and care workers to engage with the person when communication is difficult or non-existent. Even if the person has not heard a particular song from their teens for many years, the chances are that if they hear it again they will still be able to remember every word and sing along.Collages: these are less adaptable as things change. But images work well to encourage reminiscing and can be useful for people in later stages of dementia. Music can lift the mood or spirit of a person with dementia – and can help them to remember good times in their lives (for example, when they met someone special or attended a memorable event, such as a concert, play or family celebration). What is life story work? Essentially, it involves working with a person with dementia, family members and friends to record key moments of their past and present lives, usually in a scrapbook, photo album or video album. The book or album (which may also record current likes and dislikes and future wishes and aspirations) will play an important role in providing person-centred care and support. Learning about people’s life stories can take many different forms. Creating a life story book with sections on childhood, teenage years, working life and family life can be enjoyable for the person with dementia and also for their family. Many imaginative life story programmes exist: some use collages, others use pictures, photographs or objects to evoke positive recall of days gone by. Sometimes these special items are placed in a memory box. Children separated from their birth families are often denied the opportunity to know about their past and to clarify past events in terms of the present. They may have changed families, social workers, homes and neighbourhoods. Their past may be lost, much of it even forgotten.