Photo albums are valuable tools for memory recall and maintaining connections to the past. These tools, including memory boxes, are frequently used in memory care programs to improve cognitive function in seniors.
A study published by Personal and Ubiquitous Computing found that an “augmented physical-and-digital photobook” boosts multisensory awareness of events, improving “social interaction” inspired by photo sharing.
There are even more ways to benefit from a digital album, including skill-building, socialization, and depression management.
Also, there are plenty of outlets and senior-friendly photo apps for creating digital albums. Start with this complete photo-sharing guide for elderly individuals.
Sort and Categorize Old Photos
The first step to photo sharing for the elderly is to digitize any photos shot with traditional cameras. These photos are developed at drug stores like CVS or other photography-focused businesses. Developed photos are often returned with negatives in the envelope; these are useful when photos are damaged.
Next, sort these photos by date, theme, family name, location, or event. This process, especially family name-sorting, is helpful when creating digital family trees.
Some photos are printed with a date or the original photographer may have added a date and name to the back of the pictures. If there is no written information, do your best to identify the people, location, and date of the photos before digitizing them. Such a large undertaking may require assistance or correspondence with other family members.
Begin the Digitization Process
After sorting all the photos, start the digitizing process by scanning and uploading the pictures onto a computer hard drive. You can purchase separate scanners or use a printer with a scanner included. Local libraries also have printer scanners that allow you to scan photos and save them to flash drives.
Insert these flash drives into your computer for quick uploading. It’s smart to upload photos onto a flash drive anyway for safekeeping. You can also buy multiple flash drives, one for each photo album type.
All computers have a file manager for the hard drive. There is also an option to create a new file name for each upload. When uploading photos, users are prompted to save the file to a folder; seniors can change the file name at this stage.
Creating separate file folders for photo groups also streamlines the process. There is an option to create a “new folder” in every file manager program. You can also click and drag photos and folders into new categories.
Editing Digital Photos
Some photos may require some editing, especially old photos damaged from years of traditional storage. This may be enough to lighten up photos that may have darkened over the years or to sharpen photos. Most computers come with a basic image editor, but you can find programs with even more features.
Adobe Photoshop is one of the most recognizable image-editing tools. There are also free alternatives that may be more user-friendly for seniors, like Adobe Photoshop Express.
Options include:
- Pixlr
- Canva
- PicMonkey
- Fotor
- Adobe Lightroom
- VSCO
Most programs have an “autocorrect” feature that automatically enhances photos for digitization. Social media apps also have autocorrect filters and other filters for editing.
Seniors can also use these tools to turn their digital photos into greeting cards or invitations. Canva is a user-friendly tool with plenty of templates and clipart seniors can use to create cards and digital keepsakes for birthdays, holidays, and reunions. These creations may also be printed and decorated as gifts, tree ornaments, and fridge magnets.
Social Media Photo Albums
More seniors are starting to upload their photos to social media sites, especially networks like Facebook and Instagram. Both networks are owned by the same company, Meta. It’s free to sign up, and all that’s required is an email address or mobile phone number.
Facebook allows seniors to create personal profiles and connect with friends and family on the site. Users start by uploading a profile picture and header. Headers are great for uploading family portraits from reunions and holidays.
Seniors may fill in other information like birthdays, current hometowns, interests, and other associations. Users add people to their friends list through a friend-requesting process. Seniors may also set their profiles to “private” so that only friends and family can see photos.
Facebook allows users to upload a large quantity of photos, separating them into simple photo albums. Seniors may add titles and descriptions to these albums, sharing them on their Facebook profile walls when finished. Seniors with smartphones may also post photos directly to Facebook with the push of a button.
Sharing a Digital Album on Instagram
The last point speaks to the growing adoption of smartphones among senior consumers. Smartphones make it easier to snap and share photos instantly. Filters and editing tools are also available for smartphones.
Another social media site for sharing photos is Instagram. This app lets seniors snap and share photos directly through the app. Users may also edit photos, apply filters, and include captions before sharing them.
Instagram is formatted as a grid, resulting in a digital album aesthetic, ideal for digitization projects. Like Facebook, seniors may also set their Instagram accounts to private so that only friends and family can view the photos. Facebook users may register for Instagram without additional information as both sites are owned by Meta.
Seniors can also receive more digital memory storage through online file managers like Dropbox, Google Photos, and Photobucket. Flickr is another site that lets users create and share digital photos.
Start Digitizing and Sharing Photo Albums Today
Seniors with computer and internet access can create a digital album right away. There are also digital cameras that connect right to the computer via USB. Seniors can always ask a family member or a senior living professional in their community for help with this project.
We’re passionate about helping seniors thrive in their golden years. There’s always a Spring Mill professional available to help with creative projects that support senior wellness. The leadership team has a combined experience of 40 years, including work in skilled nursing, psychology, and wellness.
Contact us today to book a tour or to learn more about our unique senior living community in Phoenixville, PA!
