Creating a life story

If you or someone close to you is living with dementia, you may have heard of life story work. It’s a gentle and meaningful way to capture a person’s memories, preferences and experiences – helping them stay connected to who they are and supporting others to understand and care for them better.

What is life story work?

Life story work involves gathering and sharing memories that matter – anything from childhood holidays and favourite songs, to daily routines or proud moments. These stories can be captured in different ways: photo albums, scrapbooks, audio recordings, video clips, memory boxes or even a simple one-page profile.

It’s about celebrating identity, staying connected, and creating something personal and lasting.

Why it matters

For someone with dementia, life story work can:

• Help maintain a strong sense of self

• Offer comfort and reassurance

• Spark conversations and connection

• Support more personalised, sensitive care

It’s also a lovely way for family, friends and carers to learn more about a person’s background, values and interests.

Getting started

You don’t need to do everything at once. Life story work can be as simple or detailed as you like. Here are some tips to help you begin:

1. Choose the right format

Some people like a scrapbook or folder; others prefer a digital version with voice notes or video. There’s no right way – just choose what feels most useful and enjoyable.

2. Start with what’s familiar

Use family photos, favourite objects or well-loved songs as starting points. Talk about places lived, jobs held, or holidays enjoyed. Let the person with dementia guide the pace.

3. Capture the present too

Life stories aren’t just about the past. It’s just as important to include current routines, hobbies and what matters now. This can help others offer better day-to-day support.

4. Involve others

Family and friends can add their own memories or help fill in gaps. It can be a wonderful shared activity – and a chance to discover stories you never knew.

5. Keep it flexible

A life story doesn’t need to be finished. Add to it gradually. Some memories might be emotional – take your time, and focus on what feels good to share.

Ideas you might try

• A memory box with favourite textures, smells or keepsakes

• A digital storybook with audio recordings or family videos

• A printed folder of photos with short captions in the person’s own words

The DementiaNet Planner also has space to make a note of preferences and care wishes – a useful place to start if you want something structured and easy to update.

In care or hospital settings

Life story work can be especially valuable when someone moves into care or goes into hospital. It helps staff get to know the person as an individual, not just a patient – supporting more compassionate, tailored care.

A lasting gift

Above all, life story work is a gift. It can bring joy, laughter, reflection and connection – not just for the person with dementia, but for everyone involved.

If you’d like to try it, Dementia UK offers a helpful template and guide to get started.

Dementia UK: Creating a life story

If you’ve created a life story with a loved one and would like to share your experience, we’d love to hear from you.