Keeping seniors engaged in life

[csziggy]

4. We've tried that - she just won't "talk to herself"

She'll open up if one of us is there and we are trying to record as much as possible, but she won't do it on her own. I've been trying to get her write stuff for decades, but she wouldn't even when she could type on the computer.

It was the same with our Dad, though he didn't share some stories with his daughters, ever. After he passed, I went through the documents on his computer and found numerous letters he had written to others with stories of his life that he never told us.

I have a video camera at Mom's house to record stuff, but I will get a digital voice recorder to take down this week. The video camera is more intimidating and I can switch on the voice recorder and be less intrusive.

But none of that gets to something she can do on her own to keep active. I tried sending her drafts of notes I made from what I remember her telling me, but she never got around reviewing them or making corrections and additions.

She may just be ready to let go, now that Dad is gone. Maybe we need to see if we can get a counselor to come in and talk with her?