Where Improv Meets Dementia: Play Along With Your Partner's Strange Conversation

By: Gary Rotstein
Submitted by: Michael Maury, UC-San Diego

Author Gary Rotstein states in this article, “Performers in improvisational sketch comedy learn basic guidelines: Speak in positives, think of your partner, listen well, give helpful prompts” and “don’t be long-winded.” He goes on to say, “Caregivers for those with dementia rarely hear that same advice, but they should — it might ease a lot of stress on both sides.” Many of us in Medical Education have seen the benefits and value of utilizing humanitarian practices such as improvisational theatre to better communication between patients and caregivers. Could the art-form of improv be utilized to better communication with patients living with dementia? Please read on to see how improvisational theatre skills have worked for Rachael Wonderlin and Christopher Wright of the “Agreeing to Remember” workshops at Steel City Improv Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA. Read the full article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette here.

Publications Committee Mission: “To bring high quality reporting of current research, trends, techniques and information regarding SP methodology and other relevant industry articles to the attention of the membership through the web-based ASPE eNews blog.” Please provide comments, questions or suggestions about the ASPE eNews Blog here.

Share this post:

Comments on "Where Improv Meets Dementia: Play Along With Your Partner's Strange Conversation"

Comments 0-5 of 0

Please login to comment