Recollection of Fond Moments through Life-story Book Project

Aged 82 on average, the residents of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Shenzhen Society for Rehabilitation Yee Hong Heights (YHH) come from different places. They have had extensive life experience, and were pleased to talk about their life stories.

YHH social workers, together with volunteers from the Karma Love Shenzhen Ivy Programme, jointly launched “Life Story Book Project for the Elderly”, which aimed to help YHH residents recollect distant memories and treasured times through reminiscence therapy. Reviewing their most important and unforgettable moments in life allowed them to re-experience their happiness and achievements. Apart from building their self-esteem, the residents have showed positive emotions that were good for their physical and mental well-being and helped them adjust their perspective.

Each thoughtfully produced life-story book unveils passages of their fond memories and tender feelings when looking back on the past. A family member said that he had not had much interaction with his father during previous visits, but that his father would now hold the book and talk about stories from his past.

The volunteers from the Ivy Programme arranged one-on-one visits with YHH residents every week for six months, and eventually had the story books printed and presented copies to the residents.

The project will continue to run so that more residents will benefit from it.