Life Stories for Elderly Residents of Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Life Stories for Seniors is an exciting 8-week class trains elderly men and women residing in independent and assisted living facilities to create a 10-minute performance piece from their own memories.

Drawing on substantial research into the benefits of "reminiscence therapy," Theatre Lab instructors introduce acting and presentation skills to help older people shape their memories into stories and present their pieces in a theatrically effective way.  The class culminates in a public performance for peers and others in the community.   

Life Stories instructors encourage participants to recall memories of their past in a detailed manner—rare memories stirred by a common item, such as a thimble, or an uncommon question, such as “Can you describe the first kitchen you ever remember eating in?”

The drama therapy keeps the mind active and engaged, has shown promise of actually increasing acuity, helps seniors to connect to those around them, increases self-confidence and self-esteem, and is just plain fun. Benefits cited by both staff at facilities hosting Life Stories for Seniors and the participants themselves include: increased mental sharpness, an enhanced connection to the present as a result of sharing the past, and improved relationship building.

Comments from participant evaluations in the most recent Life Stories for Seniors program included:

“When I came here just a month ago I never would have imagined that I could be standing up here in front of all of you talking about myself!”

“I liked the course very much—it was most inspiring. The instructor emphasized the importance of the remembrance of our lives and sharing our experiences with others.”

“I learned that you can go back again.  I was able to remember things I thought I had forgotten.”

Since launching the program in 2000, The Theatre Lab has served more than 150  Seniors through Life Stories.

 

Current Life Stories for Seniors Partnerships

Past Life Stories for Seniors Partnerships

 

 

 

 

 

 

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