A Creative Toolkit for Communication in Dementia Care by Karrie Marshall

Author:Karrie Marshall
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781784502065
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published: 2015-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

5

SUPPORTING

SELF-EXPRESSION

We are creative beings. We recognise and respond to expressions of creativity, be they beautiful landscaped gardens; delicious lemon drizzle cake; a child’s first painting; a love poem; furniture designs; patterns in the pavement; a film; music; dance; the shape of a vase; or the colours and textures of textiles. It is in our nature to express ourselves through creativity.

Self-expression is the communication of our stories, feelings, thoughts, or ideas. We may express our individuality through what we say and how we say it, or through the clothes and colours that we wear. Self-expression is a sharing of who we are, our life experiences, spirit, passions or knowledge. People use a variety of art forms to convey their authentic selves.

The freedom of expression is a human right that applies to everyone, including people in the latter stages of dementia. Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 states people have the right of freedom to communicate and express themselves in any medium, including words, actions and images. Artistic expression is strongly protected.

Self-expression is an important aspect of integrity. People diagnosed with dementia may feel disconnection and loss, but through expression of these feelings they can feel an integration of different parts of themselves. This sense of wholeness and meaning promotes mental wellbeing.

We are narrative beings and have stories about moments in time that help validate our identity, especially when heard and valued. But many people living with brain disease or other long-term conditions experience fewer opportunities to be heard. If verbal communication is difficult, chances for positive self-expression are narrower.

Not only do we exist in a story-telling world but our very Selves are constituted by the stories we and others tell about ourselves… Some people find their stories marginalized, themselves as narrators dispossessed.

(Baldwin 2008)1

When self-expression is blocked people can experience a loss of energy and power, or a great sense of anger and frustration. These emotions may show up as depression and be expressed in ways that either feel negative or lead to undesirable outcomes. This is the experience of people whose label of dementia renders them deficient, impaired or incapable. But it is not OK for anyone to be silenced through stigma and discrimination.

Williams and Keady (2006)2 confirm that the concept of narrative approaches to dementia care is well established, and yet still sometimes misses the voices of people living with dementia. This may partly be due to people’s lack of confidence in inspiring narrative expression.

In Ward, Cambell and Keady’s (2014)3 beautiful exploration of the meaning of appearance to people living with dementia, we find rich narratives when expression is supported. The colours and clothes people chose (or would have chosen if permitted) had personal meaning and direct links to a parent, or personal or community memory. One gentleman’s attention to shaving and wearing a tie was in relation to his father, and an honouring of standards that were part of his identity. The work shows the importance of appearance for self-expression.

I want freedom for the full expression of my personality.

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