Restoring Memories Through Movies

A theater program is igniting the minds of dementia patients

by: Sally Abrahms, from: AARP Bulletin, October 17, 2011

Bonus benefits

The program has another surprising benefit. During the sessions, "you can't tell who's the caretaker and who's the person with dementia," says Taylor-Mead.

"Care partners get to see that their mother, father, husband or wife can still be engaged in arts and cultural programs and have their own personalities and life stories and not be defined by their diagnosis," says Sean Caulfield, a cofounder of ARTZ.

The program also gives adult children the chance to learn new things about their parents. After watching Paul Robeson sing "Old Man River" in Show Boat, one woman volunteers that she once saw him perform and that "my parents were very happy that a black man at that time had become such a successful singer." Asked what sacrifices they have had to make in life, like Bogie lying to Bergman to save her from the Nazis, another answers, "Having to give up my 4 1/2 pound mini-Yorkie to move to assisted living."

Says Caulfied, "It allows family members to simply be spouses and children without exclusively being caregivers."

Next: Less isolation, more socializing at the Coolidge. >>

Tailoring to Caregivers' Concerns

The staff of ARTZ and the Coolidge know that people with dementia can be anxious in new situations, and work hard to make them feel comfortable and safe. Caregivers can also soothe dementia sufferers in other ways:

Physical touch, such as massage, can help the person relax. Reiki, the Japanese healing practice using energy, is another option gaining interest. The Administration on Aging has awarded a grant to train nursing home aides and other health care professionals in how to do reiki. Find a reiki practitioner in your area.