Co-Journaling and Communication

Reflecting on the positive things in life is such an important part of mental health. When caring for someone elderly, particularly someone with Alzheimer's disease, it can be very challenging to remember to take the time to focus on the positives. We suggest co-journaling to help you and your loved one think about and reflect on the things that are important or pleasing each day. Moreover, co-journaling can help you track and identify patterns in activities that are especially enjoyable to your loved one.

What is co-journaling?  It is the act of creating a shared journal with someone else. In this case, co-journaling is used to assist someone who is unable to create a journal on their own. In co-journaling, the caregiver or relative takes the lead by asking targeted questions and jotting down the responses along with his/her own thoughts and feelings from the day. Then, the caregiver fills out pages for the same or similar questions. The result of co-journaling is a side by side journal that helps reveal a rich and shared life. For families that live far apart, consider keeping a co-journal via phone over the year that can become a special Christmas or birthday gift for your loved one.

At Elderbridge Gifts, we carry journals that are designed to help with this task by identifying a set of simple questions caregivers or family members can ask and answer each day.

A note about co-journaling with Alzheimer's: In early stages of Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, your loved one may enjoy journaling on their own, but as they progress to later stages, you or other caregivers can help to fill in the answers each day. You can also help them remember pleasant activities or experiences by reading from older journal entries.

Here are some of the daily questions from "Me: A Personal Journal"

• News and events with my family and friends:
• I am excited about:
• I am concerned about:
• Physically and mentally, I feel:
• People/Things that brightened my day:
• What I did to brighten someone else's day:
• Goals / ideas for a better tomorrow:

Here are some of the daily questions from "Daily Devotions: A Prayer Journal"

• Today I feel:
• Today I am grateful for:
• Inspirations, prayer, scriptures, quotes:
• I said a special prayer for:
• Prayers answered:
• Donations of the Heart (acts of kindness, caring, sharing, and forgiveness)
• What I would like to see happen tomorrow:

We hope that co-journaling enriches the time you spend talking with your loved ones.