When someone you love is living with dementia, time together can feel like a gift—but also a challenge. What do you talk about? What do you do together? How do you help your loved one feel seen and supported when conversation gets harder?
Memory Care Books offer a practical, heart-centered solution. These photo books aren’t just collections of old pictures—they’re custom-made tools to spark joy, encourage conversation, and support everyone involved in care.
Let me tell you about Liana, Jim, and Maya.
When Caregiving Gets Heavy
Liana was in the thick of it. Her husband Jim had Alzheimer’s, and she was his primary caregiver. Like many families, they’d made a simple orientation poster for Jim—a printed sheet reminding him of key people, places, and dates. It helped. He liked to look at it, and it became part of his daily rhythm.
But caregiving is exhausting. Liana loved the idea of making a Memory Care Book—something more engaging for Jim and something visitors could use too. People wanted to help, but they didn’t always know what to do or say. A photo book, Liana imagined, could give visitors something to look at with Jim. It could turn a superficial duty visit into a meaningful one.
Still, the book wasn’t getting made. Liana had a vision but not the time or energy to follow through.
That’s where Maya came in—Liana’s sister, who lives out of town. Maya saw what was going on and offered to take the project on. It was a way she could contribute meaningfully, even from afar.
Getting It Done, Together
Maya reached out to me, and we had a discovery call. She felt relieved to talk it through with someone who understood what made these books different from a typical photo album.
I gave her scanning tips (for home scanning, I recommend 600 dpi for the best print quality) and she got started on her next visit. She used their home printer/scanner combo, uploaded the images to Google Drive, and added detailed captions in a shared Google Doc. That was her comfort zone, so that’s what we used instead of my professional tools. It was simple, efficient, and collaborative.
Liana reviewed the draft and gave her blessing. The finished book was sturdy, manageable, and filled with joyful, non-overwhelming content.
Jim loves his book. He looks at it longer than the other family photo albums. It’s easier to handle, easier to focus on, and designed specifically for him. Visitors now have a clear, meaningful way to engage—and Liana gets a little more space to breathe, knowing her husband is enjoying himself. She’s already dreaming up what to include in a second book.
Another Kind of Storytelling
June is another client I’ve worked with for years. She’s organized and curated her family photo collection over time, and we’ve made several books together.
Her mom, Sarah, is in her 90s and has some memory loss. As a special project, we revisited a photo book from a big 2011 trip they took to South Africa. The original book was lovely but visually busy and light on captions.
We simplified the layout, enlarged the text, and added more detail in the captions—names, places, dates, and a few personal touches. The result? Sarah responds immediately to the familiar photos, and the added context helps prompt storytelling. Even as her verbal memory fades, Sarah can still enjoy the book. She recognizes faces, smiles, and sometimes even shares a line or two from a remembered moment.
That’s the beauty of these books. They meet people where they are.
A Quiet Revolution in Care
Memory Care Books don’t fix dementia—but they do help people feel more connected, more respected, and more seen.
They help caregivers feel supported, and they empower families to show up in small, meaningful ways. A photo, a name, a story—these simple things can build a bridge, moment by moment.
Want to make a book like this for your loved one?
Book your free 30-minute discovery call and we’ll talk about what kind of Memory Care Book would make the biggest difference in your life.
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