Creative care : a revolutionary approach to dementia and elder care / Anne Basting.

Includes bibliographical references.

Finding creative care. In which Ruth teaches me what joy looks like ; The upside of having no friends -- Defining creative care. When opposites come together ; "Yes, and..." ; Beautiful questions ; Proof of listening ; Connecting to the larger world ; Opening yourself to wonder ; All of the above: cultivating awe in our lives -- Changing care through creativity. Penelope, the hero who never left home ; From islands to archipelagos ; Bill teaches me about time (and rocks) ; Let voices ring ; "Wait, you live here?" ; "I'm worth stopping for" ; Wendy's Neverland, or Can creative care be scaled? -- Conclusion: Facing the future.

In Creative Care, Anne Basting lays the groundwork for a widespread transformation in our approach to elder care and uses compelling, touching stories to inspire and guide us all--family, friends, and health professionals--in how to connect and interact with those living with dementia. A MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, Basting tells the story of how she pioneered a radical change in how we interact with our older loved ones. Now used around the world, this proven method has brought light and joy to the lives of elders--and those who care for them. Here, for the first time, everyone can learn these methods. Early in her career, Basting noticed a problem: today's elderly--especially those experiencing dementia and Alzheimer's-- are often isolated in nursing homes or segregated in elder-care settings, making the final years of life feel lonely and devoid of meaning. To alleviate their sense of aloneness, Basting developed a radical approach that combines methods from the world of theater and improvisation with evidence-based therapies that connect people using their own creativity and imagination. Rooted in twenty-five years of research, these new techniques draw on core creative exercises--such as "Yes, and . . ." and "Beautiful Questions." This approach fosters storytelling and active listening, allowing elders to freely share ideas and stories without worrying about getting the details "correct." Basting's research has shown that these practices stimulate the brain and awaken the imagination to add wonder and awe to patients' daily lives--and provide them a means of connection, both with the world and with those caring for them. Creative Care promises to bring light and hope to a community that needs it most.

Early in her career, Basting noticed a problem: today's elderly-- especially those experiencing dementia and Alzheimer's-- are often isolated in nursing homes or segregated in elder-care settings, making the final years of life feel lonely and devoid of meaning. She developed a radical approach that combines methods from the world of theater and improvisation with evidence-based therapies that connect people using their own creativity and imagination. Here she uses compelling, touching stories to inspire and guide us all in how to connect and interact with those living with dementia. -- adapted from jacket