Dementia sufferer is given new lease of life with memory aid

But the life of one Edinburgh pensioner, 85-year-old Mary Morgan from Leith, has been transformed thanks to a "memory book" – a pictorial account of her past, allowing loved ones to use it on visits as a tool to focus on times she can best remember.

The book forms part of a Scottish Government initiative, led by the city-based organisation Caring Memories, which works to keep the memories of people with dementia – and other memory problems – vivid.

Mrs Morgan's daughter Ann Urquhart, 60, also from Leith, said: "My mum's book has been fantastic. Before it was made, I was getting quite frustrated on visits, feeling there must be more we could be doing. I've noticed a change in my mum since the book's been finished – it's like she's back in charge again."

Mrs Morgan's book is one of the first of 1,000 to be funded by the Scottish Government and was completed by herself, her daughter and a computing volunteer from ACE IT, in Dalry, over a three-month period.

The book details Mrs Morgan's life from childhood, using pictures supplied by her family, and was professionally published by Caring Memories, based in Duddingston. Director Chris Wilkins said: "There can be a feeling of helplessness when dealing with people with memory loss – just what do we talk about? These books provide a focus.

"They can also help make a connection between a dementia patient and their carers."

Mrs Morgan (ne Clark), a former tea lady and hospital domestic, was born and raised in Dundee where she met and married her late husband Bob in 1947. She moved to Edinburgh more than 25 years ago to be nearer her daughter and granddaughters. Until recently, she lived on Lochend Road South but is now a resident in Porthaven care home, in Wellington Place.

Mrs Morgan uses her Caring Memories book every day to fondly reminisce on her past and to share jokes with her family about pieces of her history. She said: "I love the book. It's just great fun to talk about the past isn't it – I love a laugh."

Government funding is still available for hundreds of Caring Memories books and volunteers are available across the city to help families with the computing aspect of production.

Once the books are published, they are also available to send by e-mail to other family members.

Mrs Urquhart said: "I would urge people to do this now before it's too late. If I had left this for another year, it would have been so much harder to finish.

"There are such precious memories in the book – money really couldn't buy this for us."