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Repairing self-identity with musical autobiographies
- Author:
- JONES Nick J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 27(4), 2019, pp.14-15.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
In this practice example, a composer explains how his approach to working with people with dementia goes beyond the everyday therapeutic effect of music. In this approach, autobiographical songs are composed for each of the care home residents involved in the practice. At the heart of this practice lies the question of whether person centred musical autobiographies can offset one of the most damaging aspects of dementia, namely the loss of identity. The composer worked with residents from a Fremantle care home in Chesham Leys, Buckinghamshire; Rathmore House in Swiss Cottage, London. He has trialled this bespoke musical project with seven people. Participants were reported to have gradually opened up to new memories through sound, visual and musical stimulants, and then were able to put these memories to music with the support of the composer. Learning from the pilots suggests that helping participants recall the past through the senses of sight and sound, rather than just talking works particularly well. In one case, integrating nostalgic music with the most important person in the participant’s life brought comfort and joy and reminded the person of who they were. Outcomes reported include the person with dementia being more relaxed, alert and social after the sessions. All participants demonstrated positive, and often unexpected, reactions to their finished songs. Once the song has been composed, staff can play or sing these musical autobiographies as a form of validation therapy, reminding people of who they are, what’s important to them and stimulating opportunities to talk and bond. (Edited publisher abstract)
Towards a more social orientation in gerontechnology: case study of the “Reminiscence Stick”
- Authors:
- PEKKARINEN Satu, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Technology in Human Services, 31(4), 2013, pp.337-354.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The purpose of this article is to investigate, through a case study, how social orientation can be realised in gerontechnology's objectives. The focus is on user-driven development process of an “mStick,” which is a tool for storing various biographical material: photographs, texts, audio and video clips, and using it in elderly care services. Qualitative data were collected in 11 pilot cases. The content analysis was used to investigate how the “Gerontechnology's Five Ways”: prevention, enhancement, compensation, care, and research, were applicable especially from the perspective of social implications. The mStick acts as a prevention by offering meaningful contents to life, as enhancement by offering a possibility to utilise elderly person's resources. It compensates weakening abilities by preventing the world from becoming narrower. In care, it helps to see patients as whole human beings with unique biography. In addition, mStick offers potential for, for example, applications in memory research. The implication of this study is to pay attention to gerontechnology's role in supporting the social nature of the human being. This may contribute to renewing caring culture towards a more social and biographical orientation. Limitations of this study include focusing on the early development and implementation process with no long-term use data. (Publisher abstract)
Narrative therapy and elders with memory loss
- Author:
- YOUNG Elizabeth
- Journal article citation:
- Clinical Social Work Journal, 38(2), June 2010, pp.193-202.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
Elders with memory loss often experience anxiety and depression as they feel their identities slip out of their own control. The paper argues that narrative therapy can help people with dementia revise their stories and reclaim their identities as their personal histories become less accessible to them. It presents case examples in which unique outcomes emerged when elders with memory loss resisted the cultural imperative to perceive their lives in sequential order and instead emphasized character traits and thematic patterns in their stories. The paper recommends ways to adapt narrative therapy so elders can create a meaningful sense of self despite dementia.
Narrative therapy and elders with memory loss by Elizabeth Young: narrative means to different ends
- Author:
- ENGLAND Suzanne
- Journal article citation:
- Clinical Social Work Journal, 38(2), June 2010, pp.203-206.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
Comments on an article by Elizabeth Young in Clinical Social Work Journal 38(2), pp.193-202.
The essential carer's guide
- Author:
- JORDAN Mary
- Publisher:
- Hammersmith Press
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 232p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Illustrated with individual case stories, this book covers physical, social, and financial needs, across the stages of immediate, intermediate and advanced care. It is useful as a practical companion for those caring for, or responsible for the care of, an elderly friend or relative.
Working with different temporalities: archived life history interviews and diaries
- Authors:
- BORNAT Joanna, BYTHEWAY Bill
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 15(4), 2012, pp.291-299.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The Oldest Generation (TOG) project is part of a major longitudinal study, Timescapes, being undertaken by the Open University. TOG aims to explore how and why certain family relationships endure or change over time, and how these processes affect the lives of members of the oldest generation. The archived TOG data take 3 forms (interviews, diaries and photographs) each generating specific temporalities that can shed light on processes and experiences of change. The purpose of this paper is to consider how the interview and diary data contribute to the project’s outcomes. The paper begins with an outline of how the study went about collecting data for archiving: recruiting 12 families, interviewing people aged 75 and over, and collecting diaries from other family members. It goes on to present examples of the data from one particular family. It then compares what the interviews and diaries, analysed in combination, contributed to understanding of time, concluding with comments on the relevance of different temporalities to current debates on family and intergenerational relationships. It concludes that the archived data offer researchers interested in qualitative longitudinal investigations a complex and many-faceted understanding of temporality.
Placing the place, and placing oneself within it: (dis)orientation and (dis)continuity in dementia
- Author:
- ÖRULV Linda
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 9(1), February 2010, pp.21-44.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Problems of disorientation are associated with dementia and can become particularly acute following a move to a dementia unit. Disorientation in both place and time can open up a “black hole” with no fixed point to hold on to. Based on six-months ethnographic and video observations at a small residential care unit in Sweden this study explored social interaction at a micro-level by focussing on how a woman with vascular dementia tried to make sense of an everyday lunch situation. The analysis examined the active strategies she used to contextualise her whereabouts and her place in the place through social interaction. It revealed her continued ability to reflect on, and question, the current situation in the midst of disorientation in a way that went beyond mere anxiety. The findings point to social interaction between residents as an important resource to help maintain continuity with previous social life. It is also suggested that there is a need for caregivers to help residents keep their life-stories intact in order to render everyday situations comprehensible and the setting socially meaningful. However, the author concludes, helping them find a way of placing themselves, affording a positive self-identity and continuity with previous life history is challenging in the context of daily care.
Stories told and lessons learned from African American female caregivers' vignettes for empowerment practice
- Authors:
- CHADIHA Letha A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 40(1/2), 2002, pp.135-144.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In a group context, African American women told stories about their caregiving experiences. We audiotaped these stories and constructed vignettes that served as cases from the field. Lessons learned from vignettes about challenges and strengths in caregiving inform empowerment group practice with African American women caregivers of African American elders. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street Binghamton, NY 13904-1580)