A poetry program for the very elderly-Narrative perspective on one therapeutic model

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Creative Arts Therapies
• Psychogeriatrics

Background:

• Elderly individuals in nursing homes often experience cognitive and physical decline.
• Recreational and therapeutic programs are crucial for enhancing quality of life in long-term care settings.
• The potential of arts-based interventions, such as poetry, for this population remains an area of interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a poetry reading program conducted in a nursing home/short-stay rehabilitation facility.
• To observe and discuss the beneficial effects of poetry on elderly residents with significant disabilities and dementia.
• To explore the therapeutic value of the program for both the residents and the facilitator.

Main Methods:

• A poetry reading program was implemented over three and a half years in a geriatric care facility.
• Poetry was read to groups of elderly residents with severe mental and physical impairments.
• Individual poetry readings were provided to seniors diagnosed with significant dementia.

Main Results:

• Observations indicated beneficial effects of poetry readings on the elderly participants.
• The program appeared to positively impact residents with varying degrees of cognitive and physical disabilities.
• The facilitator also reported experiencing therapeutic value from conducting the program.

Conclusions:

• Poetry reading can serve as a valuable therapeutic intervention for elderly individuals in long-term care.
• The program demonstrated positive outcomes for residents with significant disabilities and dementia.
• The reciprocal therapeutic benefits for facilitators engaging in such programs warrant further investigation.