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May 14th, 2012
As you know, Stories has launched a new product in addition to our hardbound and audio books – interactive books for your loved ones! Go ahead and click, I’ll wait….oh, you’re watching the video again, no problem….welcome back. Aren’t the iBooks great?
Now, there’s still something about a hardbound book, especially when you’re experiencing the legacy of a grand- or great-grand-parent. It’s traditional, it’s historical, it’s sacred. Our hardbound, professional-grade books are still our most popular product, and the book as a medium has withstood the tests of time. I love our hardbound books just as much as our interactive books. Each of our three products has their own merits, and we want you to have all three – we give you 50% off of one product if you order all three. But – for this blog post, I’m going to focus on our iBook product because we’re now an official, direct, Apple-approved iBook publisher.
So, what does that mean for you as a reader? What does that mean for you as the subject of the story? What does that mean for us here at Stories? And what does that mean for the senior community?
As a reader, you can now read your loved one’s story by downloading it from the iBookstore. It’s different from a hard bound book because it’s on your iPad, but also because it’s a complete, interactive experience…you can click and hear the voice of your loved one. You can watch them make their signature cookies in a home movie, or see a virtual tour of the house they lived in for 50 years. You can scroll through picture galleries. You can read more about their home country, or their hometown, or the specific battle they fought in by clicking in the glossary…all without leaving the book. The only thing that’s missing is your loved one reaching out and giving you a bear hug from the book, and I hope that’s the next feature Apple releases. In fact, I’ll email Apple right now…
Something important to note about iBooks – unlike the audio and hardbound books, your loved one’s story is open to the world. We can’t restrict who can read it when we offer it in the bookstore. So, as a reader, you can read the other iBooks Stories has published.
As the storyteller this means, you’re sharing your story with the world. And there are things we can do to promote and share your book with the larger reading public. We can even open your hardbound book to the main book selling channels too, if you wanted. But, if you’re not comfortable sharing your story with the world, we won’t offer it in the bookstore. It’s your story, and you always control how you want it distributed.
For Stories, this means we’re now an online publisher in addition to being a full service personal history company. It’s exciting times for us!!!
Lastly, it’s another way for the senior community to get comfortable with emerging technology. Oftentimes our buying customers and family members are seniors just like their parent or storyteller. Frankly, some customers have said – “Oh, no, my mother would never want an iBook” or “It sounds too complicated” or “I hate computers.” After I showed the features of an iBook to a family with that initial reaction, two family members bought an iPad and then downloaded the interactive book. It’s a compelling reason to get with new technology, and once you’re in it (figuratively and literally! it’s you, on the iPad!), it’s much less scary.
Why don’t you comment on this blog and tell me what you think about our newest product? Or, what do you think about the iBook and iPad as a gateway to other emerging technologies technically-adverse seniors can ease in to? We’d love to hear from you!
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April 17th, 2012
Lots of exciting Stories stuff happening these days! We’re developing partnerships with senior communities in the area, we’re launching a new product that I’m thrilled about, and I’m in the midst of researching and learning about the early stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s so we can better serve those who have recently been diagnosed.
And, I entered MassChallenge, a non-profit, mini-business competition out of Boston. The winners get to participate in an incubator – which is a program that advises entrepreneurs and works with them to build and grow a company quickly. Most of the time, incubators take equity in exchange for the time, expertise, connections, resources, etc., of the mentors and advisors. MassChallenge provides a lot of exposure to the company in addition to all the benefits of an incubator, and takes no equity at all. So, it seems like a no-brainer to at least apply.
But. I almost didn’t.
Growing Stories is incredibly important, and I’m just getting into the right routines that will hopefully take us to the next level. The MassChallenge application wasn’t long, but it was full of questions that would require me to think hard and write well. I decided not to apply because it would take me out of my daily grind – what are the chances that anything would actually come of it if I applied, vs. the mountain of stuff I was doing that might get me business tomorrow or next week?
Something felt familiar about this way of thinking, something very close to me. Oh, yes – most people who are interested in my services generally don’t want to slow down to ask themselves the big questions, to preserve their story and document their ideals for their future generations this week. That will take them out of the daily tasks and crises we have to manage. No, no time to answer the big questions today.
So, I took the day to revisit and answer the simple – but critical – questions about my business, such as “What problem does your business solve?” and “Why will you win?” Along the way, I answered, “Why are you doing this?” even though it wasn’t on the application. Taking the time to revisit why I do the things I do – even limited to the business arena – was reinvigorating and refreshing.
Getting people to slow down and share what is really important with their future generations has been a challenge, and I almost passed a great opportunity to think deep because I got caught up in my daily challenges, too. Winning isn’t the point, although it would be incredibly cool. So, I am one of 1237 MassChallenge applicants. You can see a very brief part of my application here (and vote for me, if you like)!
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March 12th, 2012
In my last post I talked about the different types of reminiscence interventions (life review, life review therapy, and simple reminiscence). Stories Inherited uses life review and simple reminiscence methods to to solicit meaningful memories from our clients.
We must be aware of how our clients use this process, because it shows us which method will work best for that individual or whether that person needs therapeutic help outside of our expertise. Stories looks to Webster’s Reminiscence Functions scale for guidance – it has 43 uses for reminiscence, and eight were considered statistically significant when measured for impactful outcomes.
The following are five ways someone might use the process that resulted in increased psychological well-being and/or elevated levels of happiness:
- Identity : Using the past to discover, clarify or crystalize our sense of who we are
- Death preparation : The way we use our past in order to arrive at a calm and accepting attitude towards our own mortality
- Problem solving : The use of reminiscence as a constructive coping mechanism by remembering past problem-solving strategies
- Teach/inform: Reminiscence to relay personal experiences and life lessons to others
- Conversation : The informal use of memories to connect or reconnect to others
We work hard to ensure our clients are using the remembering process in a way that will hopefully bring the joy and peace that can come from introspection and reflection. But, there are other uses for life review that do not result in happiness or psychological well being. In fact, our authors label these uses as dysfunctional, and life review therapy’s main purpose is to reduce them in heavily structured sessions. These often occur in individuals with severe depression or anxiety. The final three uses are:
- Boredom reduction : Thinking about the past to escape an under-stimulating environment or a lack of engagement in goal-directed activities
- Bitterness revival : Recalling memories about unjust treatment, which justifies negative thoughts and emotions to others
- Intimacy maintenance : Cognitive and emotional representations of important people in our lives are resurrected in lieu of the remembered person’s physical appearance
It’s important for us, as personal historians who are not licensed therapists, to look out for clients that use our sessions for what the authors call “dysfunctional reminiscence” as that is often a case for life review therapy — and, out of our realm of expertise.
So, the interview phase of a Stories Inherited project is complex. As personal historians there is much to consider as we encourage our clients to remember and reflect. At this time we employ only simple reminiscence and life review methods with the goal of promoting happiness and enhanced mental health for all of our clients.
I’ve cited the article to give credit where it’s due, of course of course of course, and also for you to read if you’d like to learn more about the theories behind the Stories Inherited practices discussed in this post. The full version of the article is a worthwhile read and has a lot more information I found fascinating about reminiscence practice and theory.
Westerhof, G.J., et al. 2010. Reminiscence and mental health: a review of recent progress in theory, research and interventions. Ageing & Society 697-721.
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February 17th, 2012
We all reflect on past experiences subconsciously. Only when I find myself cringing and recoiling in horror do I realize I’m back in a moment when I didn’t know better. Hopefully I’m not interrupted before I remember what I learned.
When you engage Stories Inherited, we facilitate the process of recollection and reflection. This is often called a “reminiscence intervention.” But, embarrassing moments be damned: there are specific research studies, theories and scientific evidence that link happiness and psychological well-being to these interventions. In this blog post, I’ll review one of my favorite recent studies* <em>(Reminiscence and mental health: a review of recent progress in theory, research and interventions)</em> and discuss how Stories Inherited uses this information to create a meaningful interview experience.
The authors focus on three different methods of enacting reminiscence: simple reminiscence, life review, and life review therapy. Simple reminiscence focuses mostly on an individual’s positive memories and is linked to increased happiness. Life review is a more robust and integrated review of one’s experiences, to include positive memories/achievements and the reconciliation and acceptance of failures and disappointments that result ideally in wisdom. This method is linked to psychological wellbeing as it relates to meaning in life, mastery and acceptance of eventual death. Stories Inherited employs both simple reminiscence and life review methods, as the third, life review therapy, serves to alleviate depression and often requires the training of a licensed therapy professional.
We select the reminiscence method depending on the environment, existing mental state of the life reviewer, and goals of the sessions. Simple reminiscence is the right method for those in relatively good mental health who see the purpose and meaning behind sharing their experiences. The goal behind this method is to simply create happiness and positive feelings, and is often used for those who are in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. I’ve found it a particularly useful method for new grandparents, and the researchers agree: those that are interested in fostering an intergenerational bond also reap the benefits of this method of reminiscence.
Life review is best suited for those who are looking for meaning in life or currently dealing with a transition or adversity. When employing this method, Stories Inherited historians focus on the entire lifespan and ask questions that promote reflection of successes and failures. Ultimately this gives the reflector insights into how they became the person they are today. The goal with life review is to promote self acceptance, mastery and meaning in life.
Both methods of reminiscence intervention have been found effective in promoting well-being and mental health in dementia care (Moos and Bjorun 2006; Woods et al. 2005).
We may also select the reminiscence method based on how we perceive our clients use the reflection process. These uses, derived from Webster’s Reminiscence Functions Scale, can also indicate that our client needs life review therapy, not the life history services we provide. But, that’s enough excitement for one post! Stay tuned for Interview Theory, Part 2, which continues this discussion and more!
Worth noting again: Stories Inherited continually uses the latest information available to inform our business practices. At this time we employ only simple reminiscence and life review methods with the goal of promoting happiness and enhanced mental health for all of our clients.
If you are interested in learning more and/or reading the full version of the article*, please see below.
Moos, I. and BjoÅNrn, A. 2006. Use of the life story in the institutional care of people with dementia: a review of intervention studies. Ageing & Society, 26, 3, 431–54.
*Westerhof, G.J., et al. 2010. Reminiscence and mental health: a review of recent progress in theory, research and interventions. Ageing & Society 697-721.
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January 18th, 2012
A fellow first-time entrepreneur told me she heard from a trusted advisor that getting your first client is easy; it’s the second that is difficult. This is also true about writing my second blog post, as it’s taken me awhile to follow up after my first effort in December.
I’ve actually written several, but struggled with how each fit into the tone of this blog…mostly because I didn’t know what type of blog tone or style I wanted to set.
Did I want this blog to be confessional – the trials and tribulations of starting a business? Educational, with links to studies about the measurable physical and emotional benefits of life review in senior citizens? Informational, with commentary on the most recent developments in the personal history industry? Or, third person glimpses into the stories I’m documenting, to show that even the most unassuming people have interesting perspectives and experiences?
I still haven’t decided on the right tone, so I’m going to try all of them. This is similar to my experience thus far in my new career – I have to master multiple styles, because I’m not playing just one role. I must play all the parts in order to give my clients a fulfilling experience and to stay true to my company vision. Over the next several weeks, I am going to blog about three of my most important roles:
Interviewer: Gathering the best information from my clients while guiding them through the delicate and complex process of self reflection
Writer: Craft this information into a cohesive novel, illustrated with pictures and additional research that supplement the story
Businesswoman: Generate revenue by getting the word out to the public and meeting with potential customers about my services
I am constantly increasing my knowledge base in each of these three positions, which presents an an opportunity to use all four blog styles to share my experiences with you. In between stories of my own personal and professional growth will be links to relevant articles and discussion on the theories that have informed my business and personal historian practices. Since I’m continually learning – I sincerely hope I hear from you about your experiences, perspectives, and anything else you find interesting or relevant to each blog topic by commenting on the posts directly.
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December 13th, 2011
Welcome to the Stories Inherited website, and my first blog post in particular!
I am grateful to be able to pursue something I’m passionate about: helping families celebrate and share the stories that make up a lifetime. Future generations should know more than just your name in a family tree — reading your story, in mostly your own words, is a way for them to truly know and learn from you.
While there are many transferrable skills from my recruiting career to this one, it’s still challenging to dive headfirst into something brand new, especially when the profession and industry are relatively young.
One challenge I’ve faced so far is conveying to potential clients the importance of documenting life stories while our loved ones are alive and well. And doing it without getting morbid and dark. (“Your nanna is dying right now. In fact, YOU are DYING right now. Hire my company before it’s too late!?!”)
So, I’ll share a story that I wish hadn’t happened to me. It’s not about you, so hopefully it’s less scary. It’s predictable and sad, but it’s true, and it’s one of the reasons I am so passionate about what my company does.
In 2009, my husband’s grandmother Bee was the oldest of all of our living grandparents and in the poorest health. She had a stroke a few years before, and although it limited her physically, she was still relatively sharp and quick-witted, especially for a 98 year old!
I thought, “We should give her a project…maybe she could reflect on her life and we could write her memoir for her.” Then I thought, “I could do this for lots of families.” It turns out there is a whole industry out there of professionals who do just that — they are called personal historians. But my career interested me and was going well, and how would I ever earn a living doing such a thing? So, I didn’t pursue it.
At that time, I was working towards a degree in Human Development. I took an elective in the Business School on Entrepeunership, wrote a business plan and entered an elevator pitch contest where contestants literally pitched their business to judges in an elevator. I won. That experience and the support of my classmates, friends and family gave me the confidence that maybe I could pursue this as a real business.
My grandma Maida was a big supporter. The following Christmas we spent the holidays in Louisiana with her and I interviewed her for several hours. She was my first client. I planned to come back later in the year so we could finish it together — we still needed to gather recipes, photos, and edit the masterpiece before publishing. When I graduated, I used her graduation gift money towards the purchase of a new computer for my business. She got a real kick out of contributing so directly to the cause.
We all know life is busy and we often don’t focus on things that are important until it smacks us in the face. The last time I talked to Maida, in July of this year, I told her I was going to get off the phone and finally buy my plane ticket to come and see her for a week in September. I had an end date at work and starting the business full time so I had plenty of flexibility to finish the project now. She joked that she wasn’t going anywhere — anytime in September was fine. Maida unexpectedly and suddenly died a few weeks later that August.
I am so, so glad I have the recordings of her telling her story. But, I will finish her book without her. Because she wasn’t the oldest relative I was close to, or in the poorest health, and I was just so busy with other things that in the end don’t matter, I didn’t make our time together finishing the project a priority. I knew the importance of documenting her life story — after all, I was quitting my job and starting a company to do it for others! But recognizing its importance isn’t enough. I still ran out of time.
I hung a picture of her in my office to remind me everyday: treat every client engagement with urgency, because my company’s service is important and time is fleeting. Although most days you don’t feel it, there is not all the time in the world.
On a much lighter note – I hope to get a chance to tell your or your loved one’s story soon! Thanks again for visiting and I hope you’ll check back often.
And – very, very special thanks to SpringInsight for their hard and great work on Stories Inherited’s online marketing strategy, which includes the strategy, design and development of this site. Thank you!
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