The best gift idea ever that I had, has come back to be a gift for me.
When Dad came to live with us four years ago I brought all his pictures with us and hid them because he had wanted to just get rid of them (there were about 30 albums from my parents trips, our growing up, etc.). I knew this was partly his dementia talking and he did manage to get rid of a few cruise albums but I hand lots to work with. I spent hours after he went to bed and I was waiting for TB to come home from work scanning the more meaningful shots.
My sister, TB and I got Dad a digital picture frame and loaded it up with all of the pictures and since it also took audio, a great cross-section of his favourite music.
He loved this and when he was in hospital or convalescence, it would go with him. In the end when he couldn't see much, he would listen to the music and it seemed to sooth him.
Now that he is gone, I have the frame. I bought one for my sister and copied everything over to it so we have the exact same ones. It is great to hear the big band sounds and see all the pictures of our parents' and our lives.
As others have said, memories are the greatest gifts.
When Dad came to live with us four years ago I brought all his pictures with us and hid them because he had wanted to just get rid of them (there were about 30 albums from my parents trips, our growing up, etc.). I knew this was partly his dementia talking and he did manage to get rid of a few cruise albums but I hand lots to work with. I spent hours after he went to bed and I was waiting for TB to come home from work scanning the more meaningful shots.
My sister, TB and I got Dad a digital picture frame and loaded it up with all of the pictures and since it also took audio, a great cross-section of his favourite music.
He loved this and when he was in hospital or convalescence, it would go with him. In the end when he couldn't see much, he would listen to the music and it seemed to sooth him.
Now that he is gone, I have the frame. I bought one for my sister and copied everything over to it so we have the exact same ones. It is great to hear the big band sounds and see all the pictures of our parents' and our lives.
As others have said, memories are the greatest gifts.
