Caru training session Highfield Healthcare Alzheimer’s Care Centre

During the Caru training session, the staff of Highfield Healthcare Alzheimer’s Care Centre participated in a group activity designed to highlight the importance of knowing the person they are caring for. Working in small groups, staff were shown a selection of photographs that they might typically see displayed in a resident’s room. Each group was asked to examine the photographs and create a story about the person based solely on the images presented. 

The exercise generated a range of interpretations and assumptions about the individuals in the photographs. Once the groups had completed their stories, the true stories behind the photographs were shared. Staff quickly realised that many of their assumptions were inaccurate and that the real-life experiences, relationships, achievements, and memories associated with the photographs were often very different from what they had imagined. 

This activity provided a powerful reminder that we cannot truly know a person’s life story simply by looking at photographs or making assumptions based on what we see in their room. Every picture has a unique story behind it, and only by taking the time to speak with residents, their families, and those who know them well can we gain a deeper understanding of what those memories mean. 

The discussion reinforced the importance of person-centred care and the need to get to know our residents as individuals. Staff reflected on the value of asking residents about their life experiences, the people who are important to them, where and when photographs were taken, and the memories attached to them. These conversations can help build meaningful relationships, promote trust, and ensure that care is tailored to each resident’s personal history, preferences, values, and interests. 

The exercise highlighted that understanding a resident’s life story is essential in providing compassionate, respectful, and individualised care. Rather than making assumptions, we should remain curious, listen actively, and take every opportunity to learn more about the people we support. By doing so, we can better appreciate their identity, preserve their sense of self, and enhance their overall quality of life.