Poetry Project Aims to Reach People With Dementia

Caregivers at 20 nursing communities in Wisconsin are being trained to use poetry as a method of reaching residents with dementia, reports the Associated Press . The National Alzheimer's Poetry Project has so far been taught throughout 32 states and seven countries, and project founder Gary Glazner says staffers learn different methods and techniques to create poetry sessions and for other activities. "It's a privilege to be able to be part of their lives and hopefully have some effect, make it a little bit funny and humorous," he notes. "Ultimately, it helps us re-frame the story of dementia because we see that they will learn and they will get better at this, and that's not the story we tell with dementia." River Pines Activity Director Karen Park believes the program is a great way to get residents to connect with one another, as well as for staff to touch their lives. "Arts can always just enrich their lives," Park concludes. "It brings in different emotions and feelings, and gives them something else to look forward to in their day."