Photo Albums too much effort?

Cathy, good luck with your project.

What is the "platform" to which you refer in your first paragraph, please? Are you referring to Talking Point, or to your project? I am not clear.

Regarding the list idea: I assume this would be for the family/carers, not for the PWD (person with dementia)? Bear in mind that many PWDs can no longer read, or if they can read, they don't take in/process information. Many, but not all, also have short-term memory impairment, so if they can read, they won't recall what they have read; nor will they recall there is a list to consult. You might want to take this into consideration regarding where such a list would be displayed or stored. I would also add that for years now my mother has not been able to "read" information on a mobile, computer, or other device's screen. I am sure it is part of her visual-spatial problems and processing problems from the dementia, not just her poor vision, as she can "read" something on paper.

I also hope you will be considering providing funding, transportation, and practical assistance, to accomplish those "bucket list" items. It's all very well for my mother to say she would like to go on a journey to Europe or even to the local bookstore, but it's another matter entirely to get her there. If you would like to find someone to take her to the bookstore, that would be great, but I'm not doing it on my own on top of my caring responsibilities, if you see what I mean. Perhaps you can partner with Age UK or the Alzheimer's Society or local charities or even start one yourself, to provide help. Now in the earlier stages, this might have been possible. I have another family member who is much earlier on and more mobile and this might, in fact, work to a limited degree with that person.

I do quite like your memory book idea, especially as it includes voice recordings, and perhaps video, as well as photographs. If you can find a way to make this easy and quick to do, and with no hassle, then I am all for it. Again, I don't think I would do this with my mother now (she is still mobile and verbal but I doubt I want to remember how she is or going forward), but earlier on, quite possibly. With the family member who is less advanced, definitely.

I am not sure what I think about the memory jar idea. I think it sounds a lovely idea and it's not something I would have thought up, so I like the idea. I will have to consider this.

Do be aware that by the time a formal diagnosis happens, many people with dementia have already had the disease for months or years and may be well past the early stages. Many also have anosognosia, which means they have no awareness/comprehension (and no ability of being aware or comprehending due to the brain damage) of having dementia, and it generally does no favours to discuss having the disease, so be careful how you "label" and market your ideas to the PWDs themselves.

I hope I am not being too discouraging. Many people who care for someone with dementia, especially live-in carers who are the only person 24/7 and dealing with incredibly stressful and demanding situations, are overwhelmed and honestly need practical help and respite more than anything else, hence my initial reaction. However, you are addressing emotional needs and that is a fair and legitimate point. I have often wished that I had the energy and patience, earlier on, to try more things like photographs and albums and so forth with my mother, while she would have been capable of talking about certain things in her life. Much of that is now not possible, and it may not have been previously, but I would have liked to have tried, so thank you for your thoughtful project. Best of luck to you.