Memories are Precious

Capture them now for generations to come

Where are your photos?  For many of us, they are in a variety of places ~ our digital camera, a file stored on our computer, in a box under our bed or maybe in a drawer in the same envelope they came in.

From graduations, to engagements, weddings to dinners with friends; our first child to family vacations - the list goes on.  We capture these magical moments by taking photographs. We hope to enable future generations to share the times that have been and still are so important and precious to us. If we wait to long, we may never have the chance to document and preserve the stories behind the photos.

Having spent the better part of the summer recording my own family history, I found myself frustrated by photos that could not tell me the story behind them…  For example, the photograph on the left is of my dad and my grandfather.  I would love to know where it was taken and I have so many questions about my beautiful, curly haired, baby-daddy! Unfortunately, my grandmother is gone and there is no one that can fill in the blanks. 

From my great-grandfathers Ellis Island papers, to my own birth certificate, preserving family photos and old memorabilia made me realize just how important it is to document and preserve our family history and our memories while we can.

I realized just how many people I know, from patients, families and friends to my business colleagues, who most likely have not yet begun the journey of preserving their own past and protecting their photographs and their precious memories.

I would welcome the opportunity to teach you some of the things that I have learned over the past few months and help you begin to preserve your past while enriching the present and inspiring hope for the future!  Feel free to call me anytime or email me if you have questions! PreservingYourMemories@msn.com or call us at 561-471-3122

 

Photographs Comfort Alzheimer's Patients

In general, published studies show that the creation of photo albums and the joy that they bring, enhance the well-being of both Alzheimer’s patients and others affected by the disease.  Photographs from the past allow patients to reminisce about the pleasant times in their lives.  Photographs from the present help patients relate to their current situation.   The patient experiencing memory loss is sometimes able to remember or recognize someone they know and love, in a world where so many things are now unfamiliar to them. Newly diagnosed patients have a window of opportunity to create a photographic and written history that can be shared with generations to come. With assistance, patients in the more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease can create an album that is both a meaningful activity as well as a way to record and remember important events. For caregivers and family members, the steps we take to preserve our memories are therapeutic and fun.  It gives us the opportunity to recall special times that have meant so much to us and to journal and document the important stories behind the photos.  Years from now, not only can we reflect on some of the most wonderful times of our lives, we can leave a recorded personal history that will be treasured forever. To learn how we can help you preserve your memories, email us at PreservingYourMemories@msn.com or call us at 561-471-3122.   One More Memory The Story of An Amazing Lady with Alzheimer's disease Brenda Hounam, a mother of two, has Alzheimer Disease. When Brenda went to St. Thomas, Ontario in January 2004 to speak about how this disease had affected her, little did she know how much her life would change. She spoke openly of her sadness at the thought of being unable to recognize her own son and daughter and especially of the pain and suffering this would cause them. A music lover, Brenda thought a song would be the best way to remind her children of her love for them. By a stroke of fate she met Sara Westbrook, a singer and songwriter from St. Thomas. Sara contacted fellow songwriters Andrew Ang and Matthew Tishler, and with Brenda's blessing, the trio wrote One More Memory. Written from the perspective of a person with Alzheimer Disease, One More Memory continues to touch hearts, helping loved ones cope with this disease's unpredictable symptoms. I was lost In the dark Confused and afraid Not knowing what was wrong A few lost thoughts Forgetful moments I never thought That it would come to this One more memory To remember me For a lifetime come and gone Goes on and on When my memory fades Think of me this way It's my mind that's leaving me It's not my heart Forgotten names Forgotten faces I don't even know The ones I've always loved When I say Things I'd never say Know that my love Will stay forever strong Hold this in your heart One more memory To remember me For a lifetime come and gone Goes on and on When my memory fades Think of me this way It's my mind that's leaving me It's not my heart Take my hand And try to understand My memories are gone But my love for you lives on Remember me for who I was And not who I've become One more memory To remember me For a lifetime come and gone Goes on and on When my memory fades Think of me this way It's my mind that's leaving me It's not my heart  Listen to the Song - One More Memory by Sara Westbrook  (MP3 format)  Music and Lyrics by Sara Westbrook, Andrew Ang & Matthew Tishler Published ©2004 Laundromat Music (SOCAN)/Sara Westbrook (SOCAN)  Sign up for our Email Newsletter 24-HOUR ALZHEIMER'S CARE CRISIS LINE 800-209-4342 Contact Us ElderCare Resource Center  Serving Southeast Florida and Western North Carolina: Florida: Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee & Indian River Counties North Carolina:  Haywood & Buncombe Counties 561-471-3122 West Palm Beach  561-367-9676 Deerfield/Boca Raton/Delray Beach  800-209-4342 North Carolina Copyright © 2001-2008 ElderCare Resource Center, Inc. All rights reserved.