ARTS AND DEMENTIA
Research in the area of arts and dementia is being conducted in partnership with Dr. Pauline Sameshima, Canada Research Chair in Arts Integrated Studies at Lakehead University in the Faculty of Education, using the Parallaxic Praxis Model developed by Dr. Sameshima.
For more information about Dr. Pauline Sameshima's Parallaxic Praxis model, please click here
(re)CREATING THE SELF: EXPLORING AN ARTS PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
~Dr. Elaine Wiersma, Associate Professor, Department of Health Sciences
Participation in the arts has been known to provide people with opportunities for self-expression and self-identity in ways that other activities do not. In particular, for stigmatized and marginalized groups such as people with dementia, an arts program can provide an important space and opportunity for re-creating the self and exploring self-identity and expression.
The purpose of this research is to explore the experiences, meanings, and impacts of an art program for people with dementia. This art program is being run in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay, CERAH, and the Art Gallery of Thunder Bay.
Data collection included photographs, focus groups, and participant observations during three 4-week programs for people with dementia.
~Dr. Elaine Wiersma, Associate Professor, Department of Health Sciences
Participation in the arts has been known to provide people with opportunities for self-expression and self-identity in ways that other activities do not. In particular, for stigmatized and marginalized groups such as people with dementia, an arts program can provide an important space and opportunity for re-creating the self and exploring self-identity and expression.
The purpose of this research is to explore the experiences, meanings, and impacts of an art program for people with dementia. This art program is being run in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay, CERAH, and the Art Gallery of Thunder Bay.
Data collection included photographs, focus groups, and participant observations during three 4-week programs for people with dementia.
MAKING SPECIAL: LIVING WITH DIGNITY, HOPE, AND JOY IN THE MIDST OF DEMENTIA
~Dr. Pauline Sameshima, Canada Research Chair in Arts Integrated Studies
~Dr. Elaine Wiersma, Associate Professor, Department of Health Sciences
~Dr. Pamela Wakewich, Professor of Sociology and Women’s Studies
People living with dementia are typically seen as recipients, rather than as co-creators of services and knowledge mobilization tools. Our research will enable people living with dementia to be public intellectuals and contributors to changing the face of dementia. We believe that that through telling everyday stories, and making ordinary objects and events “special”, the stories of people living with dementia can create new cultural understandings of the positive aspects of living with dementia, including dignity, hope, and joy. Our research team uses stories, photographs, poetry, and videos to gift to the participants and is a means to create memories.
Research funded by Lakehead University
THE DEMENTIA JOURNEY: PEOPLE AND PATHWAYS
~Dr. Elaine Wiersma, Lakehead University
~Dr. Pauline Sameshima, Canada Research Chair in Arts Integrated Studies
~Dr. Sherry Dupuis, University of Waterloo
~Dr. Phil Caffery, Alzheimer Society of Ontario
~David Harvey, Alzheimer Society of Ontario
In partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, investigators from CERAH, Lakehead University and the University of Waterloo are working to visually map out the dementia journey.
Research funded by Lilly.
~Dr. Pauline Sameshima, Canada Research Chair in Arts Integrated Studies
~Dr. Elaine Wiersma, Associate Professor, Department of Health Sciences
~Dr. Pamela Wakewich, Professor of Sociology and Women’s Studies
People living with dementia are typically seen as recipients, rather than as co-creators of services and knowledge mobilization tools. Our research will enable people living with dementia to be public intellectuals and contributors to changing the face of dementia. We believe that that through telling everyday stories, and making ordinary objects and events “special”, the stories of people living with dementia can create new cultural understandings of the positive aspects of living with dementia, including dignity, hope, and joy. Our research team uses stories, photographs, poetry, and videos to gift to the participants and is a means to create memories.
Research funded by Lakehead University
THE DEMENTIA JOURNEY: PEOPLE AND PATHWAYS
~Dr. Elaine Wiersma, Lakehead University
~Dr. Pauline Sameshima, Canada Research Chair in Arts Integrated Studies
~Dr. Sherry Dupuis, University of Waterloo
~Dr. Phil Caffery, Alzheimer Society of Ontario
~David Harvey, Alzheimer Society of Ontario
In partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, investigators from CERAH, Lakehead University and the University of Waterloo are working to visually map out the dementia journey.
Research funded by Lilly.