Building a better community one shared memory at a time.
MAKING POSITIVE CHANGE
IN THE LIVES
OF SENIORS & TEENS
MEMORY BOXES
As the COVID-19 pandemic has endured longer than expected and visitations restrictions to assisted living facilities remain, the Memories for Life program has launched a Memory Box project. Each Memory Box houses a familiar historical artifact (e.g. 1940's rotary phone, WWII Victory mail, Drive-In Speakers, 1950's radio, etc.). Teens research each item and create interesting supplemental materials and activities that accompany the item. A collection of boxes are loaned for free to assisted living facilities to share with seniors who benefit from an opportunity to experience items from their past, which enhances memory recall and encourages conversations among fellow residents.
MEMORY KITS
In response to the challenges presented by COVID-19 and restricted visitation to assisted living facilities, Memory Kit care packages were created using a theme of Toys and Games of the Past. Memory Kits were delivered to assisted living facilities filled with a photo card featuring popular toys from the past along with marbles, a paper "slinky," Tinker Toys pieces, a ViewMaster picture reel, as well as and games and activities featuring the toys. Seniors were encouraged to use the photo card and items as topics of conversation to share their memories about the items with family and friends.
The Memories for Life program was created to provide a unique senior reminiscence program using historical artifacts to engage seniors in ways that enhance cognitive functions and socialization. Workshops are conducted by trained teens at assisted living facilities using select historical artifacts as conversation starters to engage with seniors. The program provides intellectual, psychosocial, and physical enrichment to seniors. Research supports that outreach programs in retirement communities improve participants’ mood, cognitive functioning, and socialization. Additionally, teens benefit from an opportunity to connect to the seniors in the Tampa Bay community.
WORKSHOPS
© 2020 Created by Jordan Jasper