Have you ever considered recording some of your aging loved one’s life stories to preserve for future generations? As a family caregiver, you may have already heard some of your loved one’s favorite stories. Unless they are officially recorded, however, they risk being lost forever.
For thousands of years, people passed down stories from one generation to the next, known as oral history. However, in these modern times, many stories and personal accounts of the elderly are simply not documented, even though technology makes it easier than ever before. If you are interested in making memories and preserving the oral history of your aging loved one, here are some tips on how to get started and what to do to get the most complete interviews.
What You Need To Interview
There’s more to documenting your elderly loved one’s life than just turning on a digital recorder and hoping they talk about something interesting. A little preparation will help you and your elderly loved one get the most out of the session and document the most interesting and important information from the past.
Of course, you’ll need a good quality digital recorder or video camera. Many people have microphones that plug into laptop computers and record the session that way. Have a set of questions prepared to ask your loved one, either writing up your own or downloading prompts from online resources. You can even have an old photo album in front of the senior and plan to go through each picture and see what emerges. With your guidance, your aging loved one will be able to reminisce freely for posterity.
During the Loved One’s Interview
Choose a time when your elderly loved one is the most alert and active, usually mid-morning after a good breakfast. Make sure they are settled comfortably and within range of the recorder or camera. Many seniors are reluctant to start talking on camera right off the bat so it may take a few minutes for them to warm up to the interview format. Just take it slow and give them time to respond.
Keep the session to a comfortable time, and if you see your aging loved one is getting tired or restless, go ahead and conclude. Many people try to do several sessions with loved ones to ensure they get as much family history as they can. As long as your loved one is willing, there’s no limit to how many interviews you can do. It’s a wonderful way to spend quality time with an elderly loved one and learn more about their past.
Preserving the Interview for the Future
When the interview or interviews are concluded, make sure your preserve them for any family members that might want access. Some people have the interviews transcribed and then they send copies to siblings and extended family members. Others bring them to the next family reunion and burn CDs or DVDs for interested recipients. Often, local historical societies will welcome recorded histories as a fine addition to a town’s overall history archives.
No matter what method you use and what you do with it, preserving the oral history of your aging loved one is a beautiful and personal thing that any family caregiver should consider.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering caregiver services in Potomac, MD to help with memory loss issues, please contact the caring staff at Trusted Touch Healthcare today. We make seniors’ lives better! Call today (301) 272-5140.
