Honouring Identity Through Shared Words

In dementia care, it’s often the small things that bring the greatest comfort. A familiar voice. A treasured photograph. Or a saying passed down through generations.

Family mottos and expressions may seem like everyday words, but they hold powerful emotional and psychological significance—especially for those living with dementia. Capturing and using these sayings can support memory recall, strengthen identity, and build a sense of continuity across generations.

As a dementia care expert, I’ve seen how the simple act of collecting family mottos can become a deeply therapeutic process—not just for the person living with dementia, but for the entire support circle including carers, family, and friends.

Why Family Sayings Matter in Dementia Care

Familiar expressions tap into long-term memory, the part of the brain often preserved longer in individuals with dementia. A phrase like "just keep going, love" or "we’re made of strong stuff" can immediately evoke a sense of safety and connection.

These sayings become emotional anchors, linking people with their past, with one another, and with their own sense of resilience.

For families managing the journey of dementia, collecting these sayings is more than a nostalgic exercise—it’s an act of legacy preservation.

It gives the person living with dementia the chance to be heard, seen, and remembered in their own words.

How to Start Capturing Your Family’s Sayings

Creating a family motto collection doesn't need to be a complex project. In fact, the best approach is to start small and keep it conversational.

Begin by asking gentle, open-ended questions like:

• “Is there something Granddad always used to say?”
• “What phrase do we always seem to use in tough times?”
• “Is there a quote we say every holiday?”

Encourage the person with dementia to participate in these conversations while they can still contribute meaningfully. This can help reduce frustration and enhance emotional wellbeing during early and moderate stages. For more on early planning, visit Advance Care Planning Australia.

Consider documenting your sayings in a memory book or integrating them into a legacy letter or ethical will—a tool that passes on personal values and reflections to future generations.

Storytelling and Emotional Regulation

During times of change or confusion, hearing a known phrase can help regulate emotions and reduce anxiety. This is especially useful during transitions, such as moving into residential care or adapting to new carers.

One family I worked with created a framed collage of their mother’s most used sayings and hung it beside her bed. Her favourite? “Everything will be alright in the end.” That simple reassurance, in her own words, became a daily reminder of who she was—and still is.

You can explore further legacy-building techniques through Evaheld, which supports families in preserving memories, mottos, and messages through its compassionate digital vault.

Cultural Sayings and Shared Identity

For families with diverse cultural backgrounds, traditional sayings in multiple languages can preserve linguistic heritage and cultural pride. Whether it’s a Scottish proverb, an Italian blessing, or an Aboriginal teaching passed down through oral tradition, these expressions connect generations and affirm cultural identity.

For individuals living with dementia who speak English as a second language, incorporating bilingual or translated sayings into legacy materials can provide great comfort. For resources that support multilingual storytelling, see Family Legacy Series.

Making It a Family Activity

Family motto creation can also be a bonding activity. Encourage children, grandchildren, and extended family to contribute sayings, phrases, or blessings that have meaning to them.

Collate them into:

• A printed motto book
• A photo album with captions
• A digital legacy vault entry
• A poster displayed in the home or care environment

Combining personal phrases with photos, artwork, or voice recordings can enhance recall and emotional response. Use technology to your advantage, such as audio recordings or smartphone transcription tools, for easy documentation.

Creating Legacy with a Living Motto

Why not also create a brand-new family motto? Something inspired by your shared experiences. Families who are navigating the challenges of dementia often find strength in creating new traditions, language, and ways to honour one another.

For example, one family developed the saying "One team, always" to reflect the way they show up for one another during tough times. It’s now printed on mugs and keyrings that they’ve gifted across generations.

For more tools to help capture these emotional anchors in legacy form, visit Online Will Blog and see how modern legacy planning goes far beyond legal documentation.

The Role of Advance Planning in Emotional Wellbeing

Expressions and mottos can be integrated into Advance Care Directives or ethical wills as part of one’s care wishes. Documenting emotional and spiritual preferences alongside medical choices provides a more holistic approach to planning.

Evaheld helps with both medical directives and emotional legacy preservation through their secure digital legacy platform and free online tools.

Preserving Sayings Across Formats

Consider integrating mottos into:

• Story circles or group reminiscence activities (ideal for residential care settings)
• Sensory memory boxes with associated items
• Memory books that visually connect phrases with photographs
• Voice recordings to preserve speech patterns and tone
• Family history timelines where mottos act as emotional milestones

By combining physical and digital formats, you create a layered legacy that’s accessible, durable, and deeply human. Learn how to do this effectively via Evaheld’s legacy resources.

In Summary

Creating and preserving family mottos is a powerful way to connect generations, support memory recall, and nurture emotional wellbeing. For people living with dementia—and the people who love them—these expressions are more than words. They are echoes of laughter, pillars of strength, and gentle reassurances that who we are is never forgotten.

By acting early, involving the whole family, and integrating mottos into your care and legacy planning, you create something truly timeless. Explore more ways to preserve your voice, values, and vision through platforms like Evaheld.