I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. My theme is open-ended. My goal is to write daily posts using each letter of the alphabet in April (Sundays off for good behavior and to make it work for the alphabet). I’ll be writing family stories, memoir or journal prompts, reviews about theatre and food, maybe a visit from my sock puppet characters Millie and Willie, and using photos I’ve taken along the way. Enjoy!
Improv and dementia are an exciting and exhilarating combination. In March, I had the opportunity to attend the Meeting of the Minds conference in St. Paul, MN. The whole day was devoted to topics related to dementia and aging. It was very well attended by over 1300 people! The keynote speakers were Dr. Mary Mittelman and Dr. Donald Warne. Dr. Mittelman spoke on the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia on the community, specifically the caregivers. She founded The Unforgetables in New York, a chorus for people with dementia and their family members/caregivers. She showed a video that gave me goosebumps as I saw all the singers involved, engaged, singing, smiling, laughing, and yes, even crying. One woman said, “No pill is necessary. Replace it with this (music.)” My musician heart soared. My tender heart shed a few tears. Music is a language that we never forget. I was there with my friend Sandy who is the activities director and music therapist at a local facility. We already knew the power of music and its ability to connect. It was nice to see the research to back it up.
Dr. Warne gave us the message that “We all drink from the same stream.” Meaning, we all are human beings walking this earth together. He comes from North Dakota State University with a Masters in Public Health, Senior Policy Advisor, and Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Health Board. He talked much about prevention. Go further upstream, he said, and find the source. Holistic health is important for all of us.
The main reason I signed up for the conference was to learn about Improv and Dementia. The presenters were Evan Bass and Miranda Noelle Wilson. They were part of a research creative team that studied the effects of theatre on the Alzheimer’s community. They said that the interactions they created through their Scripted-Improv sessions greatly reduced the four A’s of Alzheimer’s: Anxiety, Agitation, Aggression, and Apathy. They had people engaged in this activity that had barely participated in anything else at the various facilities where they presented their program. Staff members would tell them that someone who hadn’t spoken in months, had been an active participant. Family members said that they were able to interact with their loved ones, even for a brief time.
Improv means to be in the moment. One of the hardest things about dementia is that a person’s sense of time is interrupted. Many patients are in some other time zone in their heads, and the frustrated caregiver, or family member, tries unsuccessfully to pull them back into the current time. When doing Improv/theatre exercises with the residents, the time doesn’t matter. We create our own time, and story, together.
My friend Beth Selinger and I are making plans to do this in a local assisted living facility. We’ll have two groups, the Wisecrackers who are in the Independent and Assisted living areas, and the Timeless Troupe, people who are in the memory care unit. We are both theatre people. I play the piano. We both can sing, and maybe dance a little. We’ve been practicing some improv. I’m up for writing loose scripts for the sessions, and I’d like to invite some of my young students from theatre class in to help.
From the website for Scripted-IMPROV, The world of theater awakens new expression through language, movement, and song. Ideas, thoughts, and feelings appear where apathy once reigned. We’ll be starting our program in May. I’m sure I’ll be posting thoughts and reactions to it as we go. My word for the year is EVOLVE. And, here is another example how my teaching/acting/music career is evolving.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: Do you know anyone whose lives have been affected by dementia? Have you ever done any improv or theatre classes? Have you witnessed the results of music, art, or theatre therapy?
That sounds like fun to do that at the assisted living place. I seem to improv all the time when I can’t find my words. 🙂
Thanks, Teresa. It’s another new adventure.
Singing and improv help dementia? That might lead to a breakthrough of some sorts.
Yes, Alex. And, now, there is research to back it.
The therapeutic power of music is in the never-ending-process-of-being-discovered. I think we’re still at the ‘tip of the iceberg’. Imagine what’s still waiting to be unearthed?? An exciting prospect!
Happy Singing!!
You are so right, Michelle. The tip of the iceberg. Let the music and interaction do their healing.
YES!!!
I is also for an Interesting and Inspiring post 🙂
Thanks, Barb!
Alzheimer’s and dementia make me sad. I always worry about my mom developing one of those. I can see how music could help. We can hear music from our youth and suddenly remember every word, or memories that go with the song.
That’s what makes music so amazing.
Mary, very interesting. A distant family member was affected by dementia. He is no longer with us, but I remember the struggle for his immediate family. How wonderful of you and your friend to go out and help those affected. Sometimes, after years of strain on their families, help and a good word from outside is probably all they have.
Wonderful post, with so much great information. Am sharing on Twitter.
It’s a devastating disease. Whatever we can do to improve the quality of life and make connections is worthwhile. Thank you.
Absolutely wonderful! So much better to treat the whole person and engage them enjoyable and meaningful activities, than to medicate and get rid of symptoms. Great post today, Mary.
Thank you, C.
A wonderful post, Mary. My mom is in a nursing home. She may not remember anything I say to her but she remembers all the words of the old hymns she knew growing up. Music is powerful. I remember when my daughter had trouble with math I found a musical tape of multiplication tables and it didn’t take her long to learn them.
Isn’t it amazing how the mind works! And, the power of music to help us make connections…and remember. So sorry about your mom. She is aware of you being there, even if she doesn’t seem to know your name. She still feels love.
They are finding so many things that can help with dementia now, but I didn’t know about improv. Very cool!
Several friends’ parents are struggling with this disease. So sad. 🙁
It is a devastating disease for both the victim and the family/friends.