Plus five memory-related activities and craft projects for older adults
Every family or friend group has that story, the one that comes up whenever you all gather together, the one that changes a little bit with each retelling, the one that brings tears of laughter and belly laughs or fond, contemplative smiles. Whether the story is five or fifty years old, we love to pause and think back on who we were and what the world was like at that time. We enjoy entertaining our listeners and seeing their eagerness as they wait to hear what happens next.
In senior living communities, where staff work hard to enhance resident well-being, support cognitive health, and build a sense of belonging for all, the act of storytelling and reminiscing is often overlooked as a tool that can help accomplish these goals.
It may be surprising to learn that there are real health benefits to storytelling and memory recall. Annie Brewster, MD, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, says, “Digging into our personal stories, reflecting on them, and editing them as our lives evolve, is good for us. Sharing them with others . . . is [important].” Dr. Brewster started the Health Story Collaborative when she received her own medical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) as a way of connecting with others who were also facing mental and physical health challenges. As she got deeper into the work, she learned that storytelling “fosters intimacy and connection with others.”
This blog post explores why storytelling and revisiting memories should be built into your activity programming for resident health.
The Brain Power of Storytelling: An Emerging Science
Storytelling has been around for a long time–longer than we’ve had forms of written language. It’s not surprising, then, to learn that storytelling and listening are powerful cognitive and emotional exercises for the human brain.
The benefits of telling and listening to stories are well-documented. Researchers studied MRI scans of people listening to stories and found that the areas of the brain involved in language processing, as well as other neural circuits, light up when listening to a narrative. During emotional parts of a story, the brain networks that process emotions arising from sounds activate as well.
Uri Hasson, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Princeton University, observed that the brain activity of a story’s listener can even mimic the brain activity of the storyteller. This facilitates not only stronger comprehension, but also a stronger emotional connection.
While the brain functions behind storytelling and listening are well understood, the science of memories is still somewhat obscure.
When it comes to storing and accessing memories, complex brain activity takes place, particularly between glutamate and neuronal receptors. This news release from the National Institutes of Health offers a helpful metaphor to explain how the brain stores memories:
“One analogy to how memories might be stored and accessed in the brain is how photos are stored on your phone or computer. Often, photos are automatically grouped into events based on when and where they were taken and then later displayed to you as a key photo from that event. When you tap or click on that photo, you can drill down into that specific event.”
The brain forms cognitive boundaries, termed “soft” and “hard” boundaries, to mark the beginning and end of these memory “files.”
To retrieve memories, the brain “skims” over past events the way one would flip through a photo album, stopping at the memory being sought.
Much remains to be understood about how the brain processes memory, and breakthroughs in science could change the lives of those who suffer from memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and amnesia.
Both storytelling and memory retrieval are forms of cognitive exercise that stimulate cognitive agility and lessen the likelihood of cognitive decline in older adults.
The Power of Reminiscing
Telling stories accessed through memory promotes social interaction and can even boost self-esteem. Additional benefits of reminiscence include:
- Emotional processing. Sharing personal stories with peers helps older adults process their experiences and emotions. Reminiscing can be particularly helpful for adults who are experiencing grief, loss, or trauma as a way to reflect and make meaning.
- Social connection. Storytelling is an interactive activity. It creates a sense of connection and belonging among the listeners and the narrator. When older adults share their stories with one another, they can create bonds with others who have lived through similar experiences or who share the same values reflected in the story.
How Activity Directors Can Create Opportunities for Sharing Memories
Making reminiscing and storytelling part of your activities is easy! Consider these activities and crafts:
- Themed memories. Organize storytelling opportunities around specific themes or events. They can be personal, such as family traditions, or more general, such as the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. Encourage older adults to bring photographs, music, and other memorabilia from the era to spark memories and conversation.
- Memory boxes. Using cardboard boxes from a local arts and crafts store, encourage older adults to personalize them into their own memory boxes. They can paper mache photos, performance brochures, event tickets, and other meaningful items onto the memory box to decorate it, and store other items of significance inside. When the boxes are dry, encourage each resident to explain their box or share a story connected with a photograph or item.
- Small group storytelling. Create more casual opportunities for older adults to gather in small groups in a comfortable environment. Provide them with a list of open-ended questions, such as “Do you remember your favorite project you completed in school?” or “Do you remember any specific clothing you wore when you were younger?” Conversation will spark immediately!
- Digital storytelling. Consider making or downloading a PowerPoint presentation template that’s a “digital scrapbook.” Give your residents time to use images–either their own or ones they find online–that illustrate significant events that happened throughout their lifetime. Alternatively, invite them to conduct video interviews with friends and family and create a “movie” filled with their reminiscing.
- Memory timelines. Help residents create a timeline of their lives, marking significant personal events along the way, such as “The date I lost my first tooth,” “My first day of school,” “My sister was born,” etc. Encourage them to decorate their timelines with photos, drawings, or even briefly written stories. Find a space where the timelines can be displayed for everyone to see.
Inclusivity and Empathy
It’s important to remember that not all events or stories bring up positive memories. It’s crucial that staff and fellow residents know how to approach topics with empathy and respect, and to be mindful that everyone’s lived experience is different. Encourage all community members to actively listen, validate emotions, and provide support as appropriate.
Story Time
By creating opportunities for residents to recall memories and share those memories with others, you will create an environment where social connections are deepend and cognitive health is maintained.
Not sure how to start? Consider a life enrichment resource such as News Currents Sr., which not only covers current news but also features sections such as “This Week in History” and “Remember When…” to invite reminiscence, encourage memory sharing, and create a communal space for reflection.
So, prompt your residents to start sharing their stories! They can always begin with the famous opening line “Once upon a time…”