Creative drama and storytelling in dementia care: information for practitioners

Author(s)

BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY. Ageing and Dementia Research Centre

Publisher(s):

Story 2 Remember

Publication year:

2020

This booklet provides an overview of how creative drama and storytelling are being used within the dementia care field and the benefits they may have for the well-being of people living with dementia and their care partners. It draws on theoretical understandings of ‘social inclusion’ to illustrate how researchers and practitioners across the globe are using these creative initiatives to promote this important facet for people affected by dementia. The booklet is aimed at dementia practitioners who are currently using drama and storytelling within their practice, or have an interest in doing so in the future. It is divided into four chapters. The first provides an overview of dementia and the current global political focus on supporting people to live well with the condition; paying particular attention to the social inclusion agenda and developing dementia-friendly communities. This provides the theoretical and practical context for the second chapter, where, drawing from the literature review, the use of creative drama and storytelling within the dementia care field will be discussed. The information included in this chapter will focus on where these initiatives are currently being employed, how they are being used, as well as the benefits for people with dementia and the wider social inclusion agenda. The third chapter provides an overview, and examples of creative drama and storytelling initiatives within each of the partner countries, drawing from the interview data. The final chapter draws comparisons across the ERASMUS partner countries and summarises the information contained throughout the booklet. Based on these conclusions, it then outlines recommendations for policy and practice within this field. (Edited publisher abstract)