Tell me more about why it’s important to create a Memory Kit?
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you know how difficult it is to care for someone who can no longer speak for themselves.
Is The Memory Kit designed exclusively for Alzheimer’s and dementia families?
Absolutely not! We have created Memory Kits to celebrate a life still being lived to the hilt. A Memory Kit is a great way to capture a milestone birthday or family adventure or excursion. It can commemorate any rite of passage – from birthdays, graduations, weddings, births and retirements in a memorable and meaningful way. A Memorial Edition of The Memory Kit is also a poignant and lasting way to remember a loved one after a life has ended.
Tell me more about The Memory Kit Biographer and what exactly do they do?
Our primary biographer is Susan Soper, the Story-Teller-in-Chief here at The Memory Kit. She’s had a long and successful career as a journalist and is very adept at getting the best and most colorful details about your loved one’s life – especially those little things that will always make you smile. To make the best use of your time, she’ll send you a list of topics to cover in the phone call so you won’t be caught off guard. You can read more about her on our website: http://www.thememorykit.com/about-us.html
What exactly do you mean by my loved one’s “story”? Is this like a narrative with chapters?
Not exactly. We do break the story down into “chapters” but instead of having a lot of text, we mix it up with photos, memories and text for easy and accessible reading.
Am I required to do any writing?
Not unless you want to – that’s what we’re here for! Naturally, you are welcome to post stories or vignettes in our story-gathering tab “Stories” if you like.
What about the editing process? Will I see a proof before you push ‘print’?
Of course! We want to make sure all details, names, dates, etc. are accurate and representative – just the way you want them.
How will I know what – and how many – photos to send you?
After the phone call with the Biographer, you’ll receive a list of suggested photos, based on what you have talked about. Some of them will be obvious: photos of your loved one’s childhood or school years, wedding photos, pictures of children and grandchildren, travel photos, etc. But there might be something memorable and meaningful – like baking cookies every Christmas – that you might not think of offhand. Generally, we have found that between 60 and 100 photos make a beautiful book.
How should I send the photos?
To get them to us, we have a Dropbox account if that’s convenient for you. You could also scan and email them or send them directly from your phone. Then there is always the U.S. Post Office.
If I send photos by snail-mail, will I get them back?
Definitely – we will guard them with our life!
How does the design process work?
We will match the photos and text in a readable and attractive layout. The book is 8 x 10 inches, hard-bound and on high-quality paper.
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you know how difficult it is to care for someone who can no longer speak for themselves.
- To celebrate the wonderful life of your loved one by collecting, saving and sharing photos, memories, quotes, quirks and more.
- Because memories and photos are so important in keeping them engaged, The Memory Kit is a useful and fun way for you to spend time together. You will be rewarded by the spark of recognition in their eyes even if they can’t communicate.
- The Memory Kit is the ideal way for paid caregivers – who tend to be a rotating group – to become acquainted with your loved one, who they are, what they have accomplished and how they like to be treated (what makes them happy, what annoys them, etc.).
Is The Memory Kit designed exclusively for Alzheimer’s and dementia families?
Absolutely not! We have created Memory Kits to celebrate a life still being lived to the hilt. A Memory Kit is a great way to capture a milestone birthday or family adventure or excursion. It can commemorate any rite of passage – from birthdays, graduations, weddings, births and retirements in a memorable and meaningful way. A Memorial Edition of The Memory Kit is also a poignant and lasting way to remember a loved one after a life has ended.
Tell me more about The Memory Kit Biographer and what exactly do they do?
Our primary biographer is Susan Soper, the Story-Teller-in-Chief here at The Memory Kit. She’s had a long and successful career as a journalist and is very adept at getting the best and most colorful details about your loved one’s life – especially those little things that will always make you smile. To make the best use of your time, she’ll send you a list of topics to cover in the phone call so you won’t be caught off guard. You can read more about her on our website: http://www.thememorykit.com/about-us.html
What exactly do you mean by my loved one’s “story”? Is this like a narrative with chapters?
Not exactly. We do break the story down into “chapters” but instead of having a lot of text, we mix it up with photos, memories and text for easy and accessible reading.
Am I required to do any writing?
Not unless you want to – that’s what we’re here for! Naturally, you are welcome to post stories or vignettes in our story-gathering tab “Stories” if you like.
What about the editing process? Will I see a proof before you push ‘print’?
Of course! We want to make sure all details, names, dates, etc. are accurate and representative – just the way you want them.
How will I know what – and how many – photos to send you?
After the phone call with the Biographer, you’ll receive a list of suggested photos, based on what you have talked about. Some of them will be obvious: photos of your loved one’s childhood or school years, wedding photos, pictures of children and grandchildren, travel photos, etc. But there might be something memorable and meaningful – like baking cookies every Christmas – that you might not think of offhand. Generally, we have found that between 60 and 100 photos make a beautiful book.
How should I send the photos?
To get them to us, we have a Dropbox account if that’s convenient for you. You could also scan and email them or send them directly from your phone. Then there is always the U.S. Post Office.
If I send photos by snail-mail, will I get them back?
Definitely – we will guard them with our life!
How does the design process work?
We will match the photos and text in a readable and attractive layout. The book is 8 x 10 inches, hard-bound and on high-quality paper.