I am delighted to announce that the first training day of the new intake for the Creative Care Course is full with a waiting list! Despite such times of hardship and lack of training budgets, 10 care homes in Somerset are sending carers and activity officers to learn more about Creative Care.
Across the country,artists and arts therapists are realising how much they have to offer to people with dementia or who are elderly and frail. Brain cells need stimulation or they will atrophy, and everyone needs a little surprise every day. Not a shock, but a pleasant surprise. Repetitive cycles of institutionalised routine bring about the decrease of alertness and awareness, and ensuing greater dependency.
I strongly recommend John Killick's (with Clare Craig) 'Creativity and Communication in Persons with Dementia.' It is a highly practical book and shows how creativity can 'maintain and enhance' people's communication. The book also draws attention to individual identity, their 'personhood'. Published by Jessica Kingsly in 2012. (See JKP's specialist list in the area of dementia and elderly care).
And more soon on my Winston Churchill Memorial Trust activities. I have just completed my journeys to Malaysia, Romania and Czech Republic to study 'Arts and Older People'.
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