Storytelling with dementia-affected elderly

Abstract

The presented study is a personal and artistic journey of a sustainable community art project, Storytelling with Dementia-Affected Elderly. The project is a collaboration between the University of Lapland and Lapin Muistiyhdistys, a community center based in Rovaniemi, Lapland. The study involved two art workshops in 2024, participated by six elderly individuals experiencing memory loss. The study aims to explore how storytelling and art based activities can enhance memory recall, emotional expression, and social inclusion among elderly individuals living with dementia. The objectives of the study are to examine how storytelling and creative expression can enhance memory recall, emotional well-being, and social inclusion for elderly individuals with dementia; promote art activities that help people express themselves while preserving personal stories despite cognitive challenges; to present my identity as a migrant that encourages intercultural understanding in Finnish Lapland. The study combines arts-based action research (ABAR), arts-based research (ABR), and reflexive methodology. The working methods are observation, reflection, artwork, and documentation. The outcome of this study is storytelling and art activities that helped elderly individuals recall memories, express emotions, and feel more connected. Therefore, the results of this study are important for both individuals and communities. The findings are valuable for individuals because this project helped with personal growth, showed commitment toward elderly people with memory loss, and encouraged self-discovery. Besides, for communities, the results highlight the benefits of working together across different cultures and fields, which can empower people.