Memory books help 'timid' new care home residents settle in

KraftKate'sCards aka Kate Renesto is helping new residents "break the ice" when they first enter a care home by creating memory books and table mats to initiate conversation starters.

Ms Renesto works closely with families to help gather personal photographs and information depicting birth, schooling, christenings, weddings, and hobbies of their loved ones and help them “settle in” quickly in their new surroundings.

This idea started when Ms Renensto created a scrapbook of memories for her friend's mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

"She was going into a care home and thought it would be nice to create something to reflect her life with pictures of her family.

“We did a scrapbook which included the day she was born, her parents from the early part of the 1900s and took it right up to the present day including her birthday.

“The feedback I received was lovely because it was something she could use to communicate with the people in the care home especially when she was anxious, she didn’t know anybody and didn’t want to join in, but because the book was left out or if she was looking at it, the staff could engage with her.

“I feel so passionate about this especially after families have been separated from their loved ones. It’s just something that says they are being thought of in the background.”

'With MS, my biggest fear is that it affects my brain'

Ms Renesto was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in the early 90s and has an Autonomic dysfunction that affects her temperature and regulation. As a result of this, working on the memory book projects from home has enabled her to follow her passion.

“With MS, my biggest fear is that it will affect my brain, so by doing these books, I do a lot of research which keeps the brain ticking over.

"When I do these books, I know I go overboard but I put my heart into them.

“This project has been incredible. I do everything from the computer and everyone can communicate and get in touch with me so easily."

Ms Renesto says putting the books together is "quite a long process. I work with the families who would like the book, and put it together in the format of ‘This is your Life.’

“The relatives gather the information and photos which can be sent either by email, Whatsapp or by post. Occasionally, I do receive the original photograph or an old photo album where I have just scanned the photos and returned it back to them.”

Ms Renesto also creates memory table mats to help initiate conversations between residents and care workers at mealtimes.

“The memory table mat idea started with my husband’s grandmother. It was her 100th birthday and shortly after she had to go into a nursing home. She was incredibly stubborn when she first arrived there. She wouldn’t go out of her room and at mealtimes, she just wouldn’t join in.

“I created a dinner mat and took it in. She had her dinner mat and sat there timidly – then somebody spoke to her about her mat.

"The conversation started off from there. It’s nice to know the family is helping to break the ice and ensuring a memento of family and home is with them at all times to remind them they are never forgotten!

“I have also had lovely feedback from staff as it gives them something to talk about with the resident.”

'It is helping her settle in with other residents and staff'

One of Ms Renesto’s customers said: “It has meant so much to be able to give her something so special that reminds her of us every day.

“She absolutely loved her amazing memory book and was so completely overwhelmed by it!

“She couldn't quite take it all in and every time we speak tells me just how much pleasure and happiness it has given her!

"The way it is helping her settle in with other residents and staff to be able to talk about and share such special memories over her 85 years of life and to see the light in her eyes as she ‘shows off’ the pictures of her children and grandchildren.”