LifeBio Grows Dramatically in 2007, Life Stories Bring Communities and Families Together

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) February 19, 2008 -- LifeBio, Inc., a company that empowers both consumers and residents in senior living communities to record their memoirs, grew 300 percent last year with dozens of independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing communities adopting the life story and reminiscence program. After such a successful 2007, the company has nothing but high hopes for 2008.

"I am ecstatic about the program taking off with such a tremendous response from the communities," said Beth Sanders, founder and CEO of LifeBio. "If our track record continues, there will be hundreds of LifeBio Certified Communities by 2009."

The LifeBio Certified Community Program provides easy-to-use tools for people to record their autobiographies in various ways. Participants can choose to type their memoirs online at www.lifebio.com or handwrite them in a specially-designed fill-in-the-blank guide called the Memory Journal which provides carefully-crafted life questions. Other shorter templates are available as well as specific materials for journaling and conversation starters for people diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. LifeBio.com's online autobiographies can be printed in a hardbound Legacy Book or outputted as an Adobe PDF file.

LifeBio provides intensive training for the staff of communities on reminiscence and also curriculum so residents can take a LifeBio 101 class together and prompt each other to remember more.

"I was excited about this program and discovered that setting up a profile on the computer was easy," said Lynn Sullivan, a resident of Fairview, a Vibrant Living Community in Downer's Grove, Illinois. "I saw how this would be a great way to involve my six children and their families. The computer already does a good job of keeping families connected and this adds another dimension to that connection. I was never one for writing much, but the system of questions in LifeBio's program makes it easy to do and more fun."

The LifeBio Certified Community Program also includes specialized training for staff, residents or volunteers to empower others to tell their life stories. "This program empowers people in communities to get to know each other at a deeper level," Sanders said. "Most importantly, knowing residents' life stories leads to quality relationships and genuine caring. It's also great to see family members connecting in a new and interesting way with their parents and grandparents."

"The LifeBio Certified Community Program is awesome," said Donna Gruis, the Innovative Technology Director for Good Samaritan Society's Fort Collins Village. "The program has generated excitement among the residents and in all levels of our community. It has helped develop strong bonds between residents, family, staff and volunteers," Gruis added.

"LifeBio enriches future generations by capturing legacies that disappear from family histories because oral storytelling is fading from generation to generation," said Ric Olson, president and CEO of Vibrant Living Communities and Services.

"The LifeBio program definitely activated my memory and is especially important as my children delve more into our family genealogy," said Alice Pegacz, another resident of Fairview in Downer's Grove. "It is all about preserving tidbits of family history. Life was different back then. We didn't have all the distractions they do today, like owning a car, radio, TV or the computer. It's nice to remind them of an earlier time."

The program is also a healthy brain exercise for the residents. According to Sanders, reminiscence is a contributor to healthy aging.

"From a psychological standpoint, recalling and sharing life stories is a powerful activity," said Chris Fenn, vice president of Elder Enterprises and People Energized through Purpose (PEP) coach for VibrantLiving Communities and Services. "Studies show that it can lower depression, exercise the brain, improve social interaction, increase a sense of purpose, and engage those with memory loss. Life stories also create new conversations and strengthen bonds between family members and others. Some people might not have taken the time to share this information without the prompting provided in this important new program."

"LifeBio questions made it much easier to stimulate my life and record my family history," said Mary McCreless, a resident of Good Samaritan Society's Fort Collins Village. "It's something I wanted to do for my children for a long time, and LifeBio made it possible."

LifeBio products are available to individuals by visiting www.lifebio.com. Communities interested in implementing the LifeBio Certified Community Program can visit www.lifebio.com/communities.asp or call 1-866-543-3246 for a free consultation.

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