UNITY THEATRE WORKING ON UNIQUE DEMENTIA PROGRAM

  

Unity Theater in Brenham is partnering this fall with Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for a creative storytelling program for people with dementia.

Professional Teaching Artist Jamie Ward of Unity Theater will facilitate six creative storytelling sessions with a group of Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents.  At each session, Ward will introduce a picture that encourages creativity.  As participants interact with the group, they are inspired to use their imaginations rather than recalled memories or facts to tell the story.  A volunteer will assist Ward in recording everything that is said or expressed, whether they be sentences, word fragments, sounds, gestures or songs.

Ward says the goal of this outreach project is to improve the lives of people living with dementia, and to hopefully improve their mood, self-esteem, communication and social interactions.  Ward says, “It is also our hope that this creative offering presents the families of those who participate with an opportunity to connect meaningfully with their loved one in a whole new way.”

Mary Sparks, Director of Activities at Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center sees value in the program and is excited about its potential.  Sparks says, “Residents with dementia need to have opportunities for self-expression and creativity.  We are blessed to partner with Jamie Ward and Unity Theater in this amazing program.”

Stories from the program will be collected and spotlighted in an evening storytelling event at Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  On Tuesday, November 7th at 7 p.m., professional artists will honor the storytellers by reading their stories aloud for staff, family and friends.

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One Comment

  1. Thank you, Jamie Ward and Unity Theatre for this amazing program!! 🙂 It is a blessing for all involved and a wonderful new asset in the community.