Dementia charity launches Memory Box digital vault
A dementia charity is offering sufferers of the disease, alongside their families and carers, the opportunity to store memories online before they are lost forever by way of a brand new website.
The Memory Box Network serves around 86,000 people affected by the disease in Scotland and has launched ourbigbox.com as a means to harness digital technology and social media to aid reminiscence by recording written and oral life stories.
Such content can then be used as a tool for promoting discussion and interaction, improving the psychological wellbeing of those with the condition.
Described as a ‘digital treasure chest’ its contents can be added to by friends and family anywhere with an internet connection and shared with other members.
Scott Downie, chief executive of Memory Box Network, said: “There is no cure for dementia, but there are creative and engaging ways of improving the quality of life for all those affected by the condition. Users of ourbigbox.com will be able to share their memories and stories with not only many generations of their family, but also with carers in a residential home, which leads to a greater understanding of the individual and stronger bonds.
The beauty of this approach is that anyone can deliver it. Sessions can be formal or informal and use of the site does not require qualifications. It can also be carried out anywhere, even where there is no internet access, as sessions can be pre-loaded on to a digital device.”