"Let me tell you what I wish I'd known when I was young and dreamed of glory: you have no control over who lives, who dies, who tells your story." Quote from the popular Broadway musical Hamilton
History is more than facts about a person, place, or thing that occurred in time. It is part of the landscape that led up to the events. People with dementia and Alzheimer’s have trouble remembering present and current information (known as short-term memory) but are more likely to remember facts and information from the past (known as long-term memory).
What people have lived through and perhaps experienced firsthand resonates in the retelling of a person’s personal history. Baby Boomers and the generation before them, the Silent Generation, have lived through life-changing events, including several major wars and inventions that seemed impossible 50 years prior.
World War II, The Korean War, and Vietnam.
The internet, the first cordless phone, and the first mobile phone and smartphone.
The first artificial heart transplant on a human, video cameras, and printers are just a few of these useful and sometimes lifesaving inventions.
How to effectively use historical facts and Reminiscence Therapy
Reminiscing, including recalling historical facts, can be effective for someone with Alzheimer’s to stimulate their mental activity and improve their social well-being. It may elicit a fountain of memories and facts that are helpful for the storyteller and listener. An example is the NASA Apollo Missions (1961-1972). The Apollo Program is one of the most significant events in American History. Americans traveled into space and landed on the moon. Ask anyone over the age of 60, and the person can most likely recall where they were the day Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon. Printable Historical facts with photos and pictures or helpful in remembering and recalling important historical facts. Whether you as a caretaker or working with one person or a group of people, using something printable the person can touch, see, and read also may trigger memories. Activity Uplift has free printable resources. The following American historical quiz has several famous quizzes a majority of people would know and be able to discuss at some length.
The free historical quiz centers mainly around the beginnings of the United States. It is common knowledge most Americans know. You can use props such as paper money to help people remember. Who was the first president of the United States? Produce a dollar bill as a reminder. Ask some other questions about George Washington: *1
Who was he married to? Formerly a widow- Martha Dandridge Custis
George Washington never had biological children of his own. There were two stepchildren from Martha’s first marriage.
George Washington was a religious man and member of the Anglican Church (the Church of England).
He was appointed as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army - He led the American Revolution against the British.
He presided over meetings to create the American Constitution in 1787. There were 55 delegates from the states and a lot of instability. The Constitution was created and passed.
The Mayflower - the beginning of America’s Freedom
Colonists from France, the Netherlands, and Spain, came before the Pilgrims. The Puritans or Pilgrims whose feet touched the Northeast shores of America have a significant impact on our lives today. The lineage of our ancestors began when a group of people wanted to worship in a way the government would not control. The fact they were British and wanted to separate from Britain yet retain their heritage made the difference in what was the beginnings of a ‘New England.’Originally there were two ships the Mayflower and Speedwell. Speedwell had problems early in the voyage and most of the people on the ship went to the Mayflower. *2More than half of the people on the fully loaded Mayflower (102 passengers) did not make it to the American shore due to starvation and illness. Those who landed were desperate and hungry. Before the Pilgrims came in 1616-19, an epidemic killed about 2,000 Wampanoag people who lived there. But when the Pilgrims arrived in November 1620, Tisquantum (Squanto) was the only lone survivor in the village.This one Native American taught the Puritans how to farm and survive in the new land. *3Questions to discuss would be:
Why did the Pilgrims and Puritans leave home and come across the sea? Was this the first place they came to escape discrimination and the freedom to worship?
The harvest celebration was a year later after the small group landed. What were they celebrating?
What do we call this first original celebration today?
The Battle of Bunker Hill
What was the first major battle between the British and the American colonists, became the turning point for more colonists to back the Americans and eventually win the war and the chance to create a new nation. *4
Why is this called one of the bloodiest battles?
What did the British carry in the way of a weapon that gave them an advantage over the colonists?
Though the British won this battle, there were twice as many casualties for the British including many officers.
The Battle of Bunker Hill was the turning point. It was clear the colonists would not succeed to the British. Their determination grew intense.
Time shifting and Alzheimer’s
Whether you are talking about American history or a person’s history, the idea is to bring to the forefront facts and events that create a sense of familiarity. It often happens that people who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s have time shifts.
Memory is important in making sense of the world.
The person shifts to the past because it is familiar while the present isn’t.
If a person can’t remember the present, talking about the past can be helpful.
The brain is damaged and believes the past is real today.
How to gently help with time-shifting
When a person is time-shifting, they truly believe they are in the context of the past. Telling them they are not can be more disruptive. The Alzheimer’s Society (UK) suggests the following to help with time-shifting. *5“Try and find out about their life history. This can include former job roles, daily routines, interests, and important relationships. Understanding their past may help to understand how they are interpreting their present. It may also help understand questions and actions that seem odd to others (for example, someone getting up very early ‘to clock on for work’). Giving someone a meaningful occupation often helps.”
Try and remain calm as you lead the person back to the present. Acknowledge their worry.
When you enter a room identify yourself. “Hi, I am Lilly, your daughter.” Ask others to do the same.
If there are technologically advanced items try and replace them with more familiar items they are comfortable using. There are many items such as phones and clocks on the market created for people with dementia. (Gift Ideas)
Acknowledge and attend to the person carefully to understand their present reality. Once they feel heard, you are more likely to distract them with an activity.
Activity sheets may help a caregiver gently reintroduce the present. Trivia and activity Sheets are created on many subjects and having these printed out, can be a handy item to reach for and engage the person. If you are caring for someone who loves history, engaging them in a personal passion may help you time shift them to the present.
