. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Apr 9.

Published in final edited form as: J Gerontol Soc Work. 2013;56(3):237–254. doi: 10.1080/01634372.2012.758214

TABLE 3.

Positive Aspects of Intervention

Aspects of Intervention	Representative Quotes
Aspects of Intervention	Care Recipients	Caregivers
Enjoyed reliving story of life together	(n = 11) It gives you an opportunity to revisit your life and think about how things have gone and think about the good things and the not so good. (CR#65)	(n = 16) We remembered what a full life we have had and found as many good memories of half-forgotten times that we realized our life wouldn't fit into one book. (CG#32)
Communication tips were useful	(n = 6) Very helpful. We have used them off and on. Improved communication between us. More aware of how we communicate. (CR#8)	(n = 17) I have learned different ways to help him remember things so he doesn't feel like he is having a problem. (CG#22)
Enjoyed the Life Story Book	(n = 14) We had a good time doing it. We were on the same page, but my spouse remembers more detail. To have (the) privilege of looking back on our experiences—don't know many people who have had as many opportunities/privileges—great sense of gratitude. (CR#7)	(n = 19) I first thought it would be wonderful for our family to have an orderly record of our life, but we both realized as we progressed with it that our life has been quite wonderful and beyond the bounds of one “orderly record!” (CG#32)
Planned to share the Life Story Book with others	(n = 10) We will look at it often and share it with our family and friends. (CR#32)	(n = 8) We will read it [the book] together and expand on the items in the book. We will let our children and grandchildren read it, and we will answer their questions and expand on items in the book. (CG#34)
Meaningful engagement	(n = 4) We sit down and run through a lot of things that we haven't talked about in a long time and fit them into the pattern of our lives. (CR#65)	(n = 11) For just me it was good—I didn't think it would be, but it's the first time anyone focused on us as a couple-put us at the center. I was grateful for something I could actually do with my spouse. (CG#8)
Helped memory	(n = 4) Helps organize some things—organize memories of things. Makes you think about things. Good way of remembering things. (CR#8)	(n = 3) What one person remembers helps stimulate memories for the other. (CG#19)