Making a 'Memory Box' can be a very fulfilling and enjoyable activity, completed over days or weeks and updated on a regular basis.
Benefits of having a 'Memory Box' include:
- It can help with personal reminiscence and to fill in gaps in memory and recall.
- It can provide a bridge to communication with family and friends and provide the basis for meaningful activity.
- It can help convey 'personhood' to others, such as care staff, and help personalise care.
(A physical 'Memory Box' should complement the 'Getting To Know Me: Personal Communication Form' available elsewhere in this website.)
Contents of a 'Memory Box'
Contents should obviously vary according to personal wishes and preferences. Every 'Memory Box', as every person, will be unique. But as a general guide if you included these things you would have the basis of a great personalised resource. Indeed, a 'treasure trove' of memories.
- 'This Is My Life' photo album. Include treasured photos (or copies) from each decade of life.
- Make sure to include a 'My Loved Ones' section.
- Also to label contents.
- 'My Favourite Things'. Include multi sensory items such as favourite single and album (sound), photos of favourite food and drinks (taste), favourite perfume or aftershave (smell), favourite movie or TV show (sight) and favourite objects from around the house (touch).
- 'Other Important Mementoes'. Include anything and everything (that will fit in the box) that the person chooses. It could be a framed picture, a medal, a retirement card, a hat or scarf or a dog's lead. Whatever is meaningful to the person.
- 'Treats & Sweets'. Include (and keep topped up so the 'Memory Box' is regularly looked at) favourite bag of sweets, make up, mirror, hand cream, etc. Anything that makes the person feel 'more themselves'.
Has anyone got any more tips or tricks regarding contents?
Right, I've ordered my 'Memory Box' from Amazon - see above. And over the next few weeks I'm going to share my 'Making My Memory Box' story with you. It will be an interesting learning opportunity for me, as well as you hopefully.
PROGRESS REPORT
13/7/2021
Right, I've chosen my 'Memory Box' lid cover photo. It's me wearing my Kate Bush t-shirt. Ideally, I would also be holding a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and cuddling my doggo 'Narla' 😎
13/7
I just ordered my photo album, again off 'Amazon' (other providers are available).
I chose this one, checking size to make sure it fits in my 'Memory Box', because it has a 100 photo limit (50 pages double-sided) AND it has space for you to write captions, which I think is pretty much an essential prerequisite.
15/7/2021
So my stuff arrived. (Thanks 'Amazon'!) First step is sorting through my 'Early Years & Family Life' photos.
Next steps are, I think 'Twenties & Thirties' (I wasn't one who enjoyed my school days so much).
Then probably 'My Career'.
Finally, 'My Important Relationships', including my husband Ade, my best friends & our beautiful doggies.
Might include something on 'Best Holidays & Favourite Places' as well.
That's the great thing about making your own 'This Is My Life' photo album. There's no rules over what to include and it seems to evolve naturally.
26/72021
So today it was time to cobble together my 'Working Life' chapter of my 'Memory Box'. My training certificate, my different role badges, some photos of project work along the way, a copy of my book and the magazine I edited. Finally, my MBE and some other bits and bobs, including my retirement card. A lovely morning of reminiscence!
Next chapters will be 'Life & Loves' and 'Things That Make Me Happy', I think? It's an evolving project!!!
PS Wish I'd got a bigger 'Memory Box'!
7/8/2021
‘Making A Memory Box’ 📦 - next instalment. ‘Life & Loves’. A nice hour cobbling together some stuff. I need to print off some more recent photos to add to it, as we tend not to have printed pics these days do we, what with cameras on your phones and in the cloud? Final next step, ‘A Few Of My Favourite Things’.
Decided to change my lid picture to the first photo of me and Ade together we have. Day trip to Tintern Abbey in the rain circa 1986. My old VW Beetle used to have a leak, so there was a wave when we went downhill. ❤️
10/8/2021
Final chapter of my ‘Making A Memory Box’. 📦 Just a few of my ‘Favourite Things’. I could add to this infinitum, but these few bits and bobs will make me very happy.
And there you go. My ‘Memory Box’ 📦 is finished. I hope you have enjoyed this little trip down memory lane with me and that it’s inspired you to make your own time capsule (or help others make theirs).
God bless ❤️💙🙏
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