StorySparks: Memory Edition

I purchased this story game as a way to interact with my octogenarian parents. My sister and I visit them once a week to play games and catch up. Although they do not exhibit any dementia, I thought this would be a fun way to interact and learn more about their lives growing up. On our first foray into StorySparks, I randomly chose a card and a time frame (school days as a child), and we spent over an hour and a half talking about our memories of elementary school. Not only did my parents share, but my sister and I reminisced as well. We all thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. As a former caregiver to my husband who had Alzheimer's disease, I can definitely see the benefits of using this product with your loved one. Or for paid caregivers to use with their clients. When conversation lags, and it is just too hard for the person living with a type of dementia to engage, the very specific topics on the cards should precipitate meaningful interaction. I will be recommending StorySparks to support groups and caregivers.

This game is fantastic! It is similar in concept to the product where questions are sent to the subject, the subject writes their answer, and it is turned into a book - but this is SO much better - especially for older relatives and friends. This game is warm and interactive and so easy to use. You can play it as long or as little as you want and pick and choose from the questions. I love the way the questioner focuses on a particular phase of life and really explores it with the guided questions. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to ask next and the question cards take off the pressure. Unlike some products, where the elderly person sends in their answers to an app, this game leads to actual communication and connection. I also love that it can be played in person or over the phone because it is conversation based. I strongly recommend this product to anyone who has a relationship across generations - not just a relationship with an elderly person.

This game is so much fun because it can go on forever and the memories that get recorded for my story book are amazing. Great for entire family. Cards are easy to read and the instructions are super easy to follow. Giving me piece of mind that even family I won't be able to meet will know who I was. A must have for every family. Fantastic value for the money completely unique item.

Great way to try to deepen connections

I originally bought StorySparks for a senior Client of mine. I own an in-home senior care company that sends caregivers into the home. But before I gave it to my 87-year old client, I tested some of the cards and questions out with my adult daughters (age 26 and 24). I was so pleasantly surprised to both have a lot of fun and learn things I didn't know even after being their dad for 26 years! My daughters live in another state and none of us are great with phone calls but we found doing StorySparks over the phone was a great way to make our weekly calls more enjoyable for all!

I was also thrilled with how my 87-year old client is enjoying the game. He has mild cognitive decline but we are always looking for way to get more engagement. He is a great storyteller but shared one of the most stories I've ever heard, prompted by the StorySparks cards. His family is thrilled and the game is deeply enriching the time he spends with our caregiver. His caregiver has also report that StorySparks makes her more much interesting and she is using the cards as a way to soothe anxiety, redirect frustrations, and generally improve his mood. Great product!