If you’re looking for a fun, therapeutic activity to do with an older adult, scrapbooking may just be the answer. Creating a memory book can reduce stress in older people because it allows them to share stories from their life in a creative way. The scrapbooking process can also trigger memories and delay memory loss for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
At the heart of it though, scrapbooking is an excellent way to further bond with an older family member or friend. Oftentimes, the process of scrapbooking with an older person can be just as touching of an experience for you as it is for them.
Not sure how to get started on your family member or friend’s scrapbooking project? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Read our easy-to-follow tips on how to begin capturing memories with scrapbooking.
How seniors can start scrapbooking
#1 Begin by Getting Organised
Although creative projects can appear to be organised chaos at times, it’s good to have some organisation while starting any project. You’ll want to begin by gathering your photos and putting them in chronological order. When you’re ready to start working, lay out all your materials and supplies so that you can easily access them when working.
If, at this point, you’ve realised that you don’t have enough scrapbooking materials, now is the time to make a trip to the craft store. If you’re new to scrapbooking, be forewarned, many craft and hobby stores have several aisles dedicated to scrapbooking supplies. It can be overwhelming at first, but soon enough you’ll be delighted by the various supplies of decorative scissors, stickers, embellishments, stamps and more. All of these are tools that will help you make amazing one-of-a-kind albums that will evoke “ahs” and “oohs” from your family and friends.
#2 Choose a Theme
Following a few themes will make it much easier to a complete a scrapbooking project, so we recommend choosing a handful based on major life events. If you have several photos and mementos you may even want to dedicate an entire album to one theme. One album can be used to document a wedding, another for family photos, another for coming of age and more. Other thematic ideas might include vacations, holidays, birthdays, hobbies, and awards. Focus on one of your chosen themes, then decide which paper you’ll use for the layout and what photos, memorabilia and embellishments you’d like to use on the page.
#3 Create a Page Layout
Create a page layout by placing the items where you think they might look best on the scrapbook paper. If you’re working with an older family member or friend, give them the opportunity to make any last-minute adjustments in how they’d like the final arrangement to appear. Once everyone is pleased with the layout, begin gluing or taping the items into place. You can take a picture with your phone before gluing since you may need to move some items during the gluing process.
#4 Share the Memories
Enjoy the experience of listening to your family member or friend share their memories when working on the scrapbook. Make the experience even more memorable by writing down the stories as they’re recalled or shared. Encourage and give them opportunities to share the completed project with others by taking them to a friend’s house, a senior centre or another family member’s home.
Source: https://www.homesteadathamilton.com/blog/senior-tips/preserve-your-favorite-memories-scrapbooking-for-seniors/
