Creative writing can be conducted in Nursing Homes and Assisted
Living facilities. However, activity professionals encounter a myriad of
problems when one attempts this type of activity in this environment.
The problems range from an inability to write that is related to
cognition levels or physical limitations. The other problems may be
writer's block that prevents a client from putting a pen to paper.
Writing a story is not as easy as it looks. It is daunting to sit down to create a fictional story when one faces a blank paper. However, there are techniques that writer's use to overcome this problem such as looking at a picture to help start a story. This technique is one that a facilitator can use with a writing group to develop a story. The technique reinforces the client's memory or will trigger a memory depending on the client's form of dementia.
The facilitator can use a picture, from anywhere such as from a picture book, photograph or painting. The facilitator shows the picture to the clients then the facilitator asks the appropriate questions related to the picture. For example, if the picture was of the water crashing on the beach with a man standing casting a fishing pole. The questions that the facilitator asks the group are endless. Such examples are listed below:
1. What does he see at the beach?
2. What does one recall about the beach?
3. What is the man (fisherman) doing?
4. What do you think the fisherman will catch?
5. What will the fisherman do with the fish?
6. Is anyone with him?
7. What type of fish did he catch?
The group's answers depend on what they see or what they know. The facilitator records all of their ideas then incorporates them into a story that is based on the fisherman at the beach.
The same applies to those clients who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and those with severe cognitive impairment. The facilitator may ask the same questions, however do not forget to use open ended questions to get a proper response. The response can be a yes or no which can be incorporated into story. Using the previous example, below are sample questions the facilitator asks to develop a story.
1. Do you see a beach?
2. Is there a fisherman there?
3. Did he catch a fish?
4. Did he have fun?
5. Was the day nice?
6. Did he go with someone?
7. Do you like to fish?
8. Do you like the ocean?
This is a wonderful way to do a creative writing activity with a population in long term care facilities and assisted living facilities. The activity is fun because it gets the client's creative juices flowing. The clients have the opportunity to reminisce about their past, to share ideas and stories. It is up to the facilitator to choose the topic but whatever the facilitator chooses remembered that it is important to have fun!
Writing a story is not as easy as it looks. It is daunting to sit down to create a fictional story when one faces a blank paper. However, there are techniques that writer's use to overcome this problem such as looking at a picture to help start a story. This technique is one that a facilitator can use with a writing group to develop a story. The technique reinforces the client's memory or will trigger a memory depending on the client's form of dementia.
The facilitator can use a picture, from anywhere such as from a picture book, photograph or painting. The facilitator shows the picture to the clients then the facilitator asks the appropriate questions related to the picture. For example, if the picture was of the water crashing on the beach with a man standing casting a fishing pole. The questions that the facilitator asks the group are endless. Such examples are listed below:
1. What does he see at the beach?
2. What does one recall about the beach?
3. What is the man (fisherman) doing?
4. What do you think the fisherman will catch?
5. What will the fisherman do with the fish?
6. Is anyone with him?
7. What type of fish did he catch?
The group's answers depend on what they see or what they know. The facilitator records all of their ideas then incorporates them into a story that is based on the fisherman at the beach.
The same applies to those clients who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and those with severe cognitive impairment. The facilitator may ask the same questions, however do not forget to use open ended questions to get a proper response. The response can be a yes or no which can be incorporated into story. Using the previous example, below are sample questions the facilitator asks to develop a story.
1. Do you see a beach?
2. Is there a fisherman there?
3. Did he catch a fish?
4. Did he have fun?
5. Was the day nice?
6. Did he go with someone?
7. Do you like to fish?
8. Do you like the ocean?
This is a wonderful way to do a creative writing activity with a population in long term care facilities and assisted living facilities. The activity is fun because it gets the client's creative juices flowing. The clients have the opportunity to reminisce about their past, to share ideas and stories. It is up to the facilitator to choose the topic but whatever the facilitator chooses remembered that it is important to have fun!
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How To create Story Legend?
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