It’s really amazing what MOMA and other museums are doing now – offering educational programs in art to people with dementia and their families. But a NYT’s article today explores an even more radical step – bringing the museum to the nursing home. At the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, they have opened a Judaica museum. Residents can tour on a daily basis. Outside guests have a chance to see not just the images and objects, but living examples of American Jewish history – the residents.
Posted in art, cultural phenom, disability, public education | Tagged alzheimer's, art museum, hebrew home, nursing home, riverdale | 1 Comment »
A recent study tells us what we already imagined…that you have the best shot at “staying sharp” is late life if you exercise (at the low threshold of once per week…), don’t smoke, are educated, and participate in social activities.
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I’m learning of more programs that bring interactive theatre to people with dementia. Here’s Ladder to the Moon, working in London. And Theater Veder in the Netherlands. I’m embarking on my own project in this area, working with Sojourn Theater. Stay tuned!
Posted in art | Tagged alzheimer's, dementia, health care, theater | Leave a Comment »
Finally. I had a day (sitting in my hotel room in LA) to just think and research and write about all the things that happened in the Think Tank at UWM. Here are my thoughts about core themes and concepts that came out of the incredible mix of people who gathered in Milwaukee May 13-15, 2009. We’re in the process of doing a white paper on the proceedings (thank you Amy, our professional writing intern!) so you can find them soon at the Center on Age & Community’s website.
*the concept of “gerogogy” came up several times. As did the idea that “activities” should focus on learning, not “doing” or keeping people busy or “occupied.” This made me think about the fact that the medical industrial complex overshadows any other framework in late life. Is it even possible to grow old without an assumed calculus of measurement? of how successfully we are aging? of how intact our cognition is? The arts might be part of a liberation movement for elders – a radical reframing from the calculus of health/therapy/treatment to expression and learning. From being acted upon and treated toward acting/agency.
*the concept of enchantment came up – I confess it’s a word that I use in trying to describe just what I hope we can do to “activities” like “sort poker chips” or “sort silverware.” We teased out the meaning of “enchantment”…saying that it meant making it magical – which I interpreted as infusing it with mystery and meaning for multiple groups of people. One of the highlights of the think tank for me was the transformation of the activity of “sorting silverware” into an international, intergenerational communal table project in which elders designed the invitation, the meal, grew the food, and set the table. The meal was then shared through the internet with sites doing the same activity across the world. Now that is enchantment.
*We talked a lot about a “model” of a project that envisioned many entry points for different groups/types of people, and exit points to share the project with multiple audiences. Thus “sorting silverware” became a 3-6 month international project.
*We got stuck several times on the notion that we can’t really transform (let alone “radically”) activities in LTC without transforming the health care system. SO much of how we see/envision activities is bound up in how we pay for and value (or devalue) them. There was a groundswell here for creating a media campaign to rebrand aging to insist on dignity (satire was the approach we thought might intrigue multiple generations to join the fight) of elders regardless of disability.
*at the end of the day I think the biggest impact of the Think Tank was simply bringing really smart, savvy, and community-inclined artists together with leaders in the field of aging services, caregivers, and youth and elders. There were several moments when I witnessed mouths agape at ideas that clearly rocked someone’s world. It’s rare we get to see the world through different eyes. And the view can be so illuminating…
* in sum sum then…people with dementia and elders in general can grow, learn, be creative, engaging people. And those without dementia can learn and grow from sharing their company.
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I haven’t seen the book myself yet, but apparently Forget Memory is now “in stock” at Amazon…at a darn good price I might add.
Let me know what you think!
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A really lovely story on NPR’s All Things Considered today about a painter in NYC (Ken Rab) in his 50s and experiencing early on-set Alzheimer’s. His partner Stuart Post has created a supportive, loving, challenging world for Ken – one in which his creativity can flourish. It’s a quite a contrast to the HBO stories…positive and engaging, realistic, but not frightening.
Posted in art, cultural phenom, public education | Tagged alzheimer's, memory loss, NPR's All Things Considered, representations of dementia | Leave a Comment »
A really fascinating article today in the NYT’s about the “super-memory” study of the 1 in 200 people who make it to 90 with their cognition largely in tact. And the 1 in 600 who make it to 95 without a diagnosis of dementia.
The study of these folks by USC and UC Irivine is trying to tease out the answer to the condundrum “Are they active because they are sharp or are they sharp because they are active?”
The study is finding that exercise and diet aren’t as big of an indicator as some studies are suggesting – but that mental challenge/exericise and social engagement are.
“So far, scientists here have found little evidence that diet or exercise affects the risk of dementia in people over 90. But some researchers argue that mental engagement — doing crossword puzzles, reading books — may delay the arrival of symptoms. And social connections, including interaction with friends, may be very important, some suspect. In isolation, a healthy human mind can go blank and quickly become disoriented, psychologists have found.”
But the most fascinating thing about the article is the way the group of card-playing “super-memory” 90+ year olds talk about what happens when they detect one of them is slipping. They are kicked out of the group. And, as they observe, their isolated friends quickly decline.
My question is WHY? Isn’t there something else they could do that could maintain their friendships? Like maybe…ART? DANCE? MUSIC? POETRY? WRITING? Cards are fantastic. But you can also challenge yourself mentally in a non-competitive way that allows for friends to maintain social connections rather than set them off on the ice-flow.
Posted in cultural phenom, disability, science of memory | Tagged 90+ study, alzheimer's, cards, memory loss, super-memory | 1 Comment »
Got copies of the book cover for Forget Memory the other day…that must mean – could it? really? Could it mean that the actual book is soon to follow? It is already available for pre-order at Amazon for all those who want to be first in line!
Now that the crazy week of the Think Tank and Concert is over, I’m going to sit down and watch the rest of the HBO Alzheimer’s Project. I did watch the one on children with Maria Shriver. Just have to do the Science one and the Caregiver one. Coming soon!
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