Engaging in conversation with someone who has dementia can sometimes be challenging, but family history offers a valuable way to foster meaningful connections and stimulate memory. Genealogist and nurse, Jude Rhodes, will share insights and practical resources to help families and friends use personal history as a conversation tool.
People with dementia often recall early life experiences, such as memories of their parents and siblings, more vividly than recent events. Since forming new memories becomes more difficult, revisiting the past can be a powerful way to spark discussion and connection.
This presentation explores how focusing on a person's early years can lead to engaging and fulfilling conversations. By tapping into well-preserved memories, loved ones can create more meaningful interactions while providing gentle cognitive stimulation for those with dementia.
About the Speaker
Jude Rhodes
Jude Rhodes splits her working life between family history research and nursing. Jude qualified as a genealogist through the Pharos and Society of Genealogists Advanced Skills and Strategies course and is a member of the British Association of Local History Outreach Committee and an AGRA Associate. Jude’s main geographical area of interest in family and local history is in Yorkshire with a specialism of the Yorkshire Dales, including Ancestral Visits. As a Registered Nurse, working in nurse education, Jude also works with individuals, and their families, who are living with dementia using family history, and the FAN method, to create personalised books to stimulate meaningful and relevant conversations.
