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How to make a life story book for someone with dementia
A step-by-step guide to making a life story book for someone living with dementia: what to include, how to lay out pages, and how to use it.
9 minute read
Guides for families and carers
Practical, carefully sourced guides to life story work: what to ask, what to include, how to lay it out and how to share it with carers.
Gathering memories
Life story questions to ask
Over 80 gentle life story questions to ask Mum, Dad or a grandparent, organised by chapter, with tips for asking someone living with dementia.
7 minute read
Understanding
What is life story work?
Life story work records a person's history, people and preferences so carers can know them. What it involves, who does it and how families can help.
6 minute read
Design
Dementia-friendly book design
How to design a photo book for someone with dementia: font size, contrast, colours, layout, captions, photo choice and paper. Practical rules with sources.
6 minute read
Care and hospital
"About me" profiles for hospital and care
What a one-page "About me" profile is, what to include, how it relates to Alzheimer's Society's "This is me", and how to get staff to use it.
6 minute read
Care and hospital
Sharing their life story at a care home move
How to help care home staff know your relative from day one: what to share before the move, what to bring, and how a life story book and profile help.
6 minute read
Everyday life
Gift ideas for someone with dementia
Gift ideas for a parent or grandparent living with dementia, for Christmas or birthdays: comfort, music, photos, simple activities and time together.
6 minute read
Gathering memories
Collecting photos and memories from the family
How to get brothers, sisters, grandchildren and old friends to share photos and memories for a life story book, with a message you can copy.
6 minute read
Free download
Free printable life story template
Download a free printable life story template with prompts for every chapter of a life and simple, dementia-friendly pages to fill in by hand.
How we write these guides
We link to the NHS, NICE and UK dementia charities for every fact about care, write in our own words, never make health claims and show when each guide was last reviewed. Read our editorial standards.