Memory Boxes for Assisted Living Residents

It has happened to all of us – perhaps driving around a big city, or walking through a shopping mall – the feeling of disorientation or of being lost. There is that moment that nothing looks familiar, and the feeling of confusion and helplessness sets in.

Fortunately for most of us, we eventually see a landmark, or a sign, or even an intersection that we have been to before that will help to guide us and extinguish the moment of panic or confusion.

Imagine this scenario playing out inside your home – a place that is where you likely spend most of your time. It may sound far-fetched to get lost or confused in your own home, but unfortunately, for many residents of assisted living facilities and other care environments who suffer from memory impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease, it can happen often, if not daily.

A great tool that facilities and care homes can use to help memory-impaired residents “re-orient” themselves to their surroundings, and keep them from forgetting which room or apartment is theirs – is a “memory box” or as they are sometimes called “locator boxes.”

There is nothing elaborate about a memory box, and they are fairly easy to create and implement into your home. Basically, they are a box, or display case that is placed right outside a resident’s room. Usually, these are kept at eye-level. This box is filled with items that the resident identifies with – personal items to help “jog” their memory. Items can include: