Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Storytelling Engages Seniors

Quote of the Day: Memory fades, but imagination and emotions never go away. - Mary Aalgaard, from observances and education on Dementia and therapy using fine arts.

(Photo of costume sketches at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis)
Images, songs, word prompts, physical engagement in the arts,
stimulate the mind.

Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and now Storytelling to spark imagination and interaction, are all working to engage people suffering from dementia.  We cannot, necessarily, use these means to trigger memory. What we can do, is learn to live in the moment, stimulate creativity, and find new ways to engage with the people we love. 

Watch this video from The Today Show to learn more about how storytelling and the use of theater arts brings people out of the fog of dementia and into new light.

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/45435491#45435491

Learn more about this program at http://www.timeslips.org/
What we're doing today is creating memories.