Together in Time: Programs for People with Memory Loss

The Together in Time project meets the needs of a diverse, aging population by empowering them as lifelong learners, encouraging them to tell stories, and supporting their caregivers in carrying out their essential roles. Core elements of the program include leading programs in multiple locations for those with memory loss and their caregivers and working on tools, such as a House of Memories mobile app, to show objects from the MNHS collection in order to spark conversations. An IMLS one-year planning grant, in place through October 2016, allowed staff to conduct focus groups to test the viability of the House of Memories mobile app program, develop relationships and co-create programs with a number of diverse community organizations, learn about the needs of professional and family care partners, and bring in healthcare and museum professionals to advise on this work. Currently, MNHS has applied for an IMLS grant to support developing the first U.S. version of the House of Memories mobile app. The grant would also allow staff to create a training program for professional care partners to use the mobile app tool to better care for people with memory loss. Work done with the African American and Latino communities during the planning grant will be incorporated into both the trainings and mobile app object selection.