Recognising a person's unique life journey allows an individual to maintain their respect, dignity, and, in many cases, their connection to the world and the people they care about. For our residents with dementia sharing their memories and life stories strengthens their sense of self. This is especially important when they are having trouble sharing this knowledge on their own. Life Story work can promote greater communication and understanding of the individual's needs and desires.

When creating a life story with a person who has dementia, you can select the format or mix of formats, that best suits their needs.

• Books: are portable and convenient for caregivers and visitors to use. Keep it simple by combining two contrasting colors, images, and a clear typography. Too many colors or patterns could be confusing for those with dementia.
• Collages: make use of photos and images to inspire reminiscence and can be particularly beneficial to those in the later stages of dementia who are unable to read.
• Memory Boxes: include meaningful items and are especially effective for those with sensory impairments (such as sight loss or perception issues) and those in the late stages of dementia who communicate primarily through touch or smell.
• Apps: can be downloaded to a phone or tablet to save and share images, mark locations on a map, and play music and video files.
• Personal Profiles: are brief versions of a life story, often only one page long, that are used in hospitals to help personnel understand the person's needs.