Finding the words: creativity, writing and experiences of dementia
Finding the words: creativity, writing and experiences of dementia
Creative outlets can give us space to process difficult experiences, express what can be hard to say and capture the moments that matter.
Caring for someone with dementia can bring a lot to process.
There can be good days and difficult days, moments you want to remember and experiences that are hard to explain to someone who hasn’t been through them.
Finding a creative outlet can give you space to express some of what you’re thinking and feeling. For some people that’s writing. For others, it might be drawing, painting, photography, music or something completely different.
You don’t need to think of yourself as a creative person, and what you make doesn’t need to be perfect or even shared with anyone else. It can simply be something that’s yours a way to pause, reflect or capture what you’re experiencing.
Writing can be particularly powerful. Putting something into words can help us make sense of an experience, hold onto an important memory or express something we’ve found difficult to say out loud. And when people choose to share their writing, it can help others understand some of the realities of dementia and caring too.
Author Gina Awad on the power of writing
Gina Awad BEM, author of United: Caring for Our Loved Ones Living with Dementia, was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2018 for her services to people with dementia in Devon. She is now preparing to release her second book, When Time Aligns: Stories of Care From a Dementia Companion.
For Gina, writing is not only a creative outlet. It offers an opportunity to pause, make sense of what she has seen and heard, and capture stories and moments that might otherwise be lost.
Writing became part of my life through my work in dementia. I found that putting my experiences, observations and the voices of people I met into words was a way of making sense of what I was seeing and hearing. Writing gives me the opportunity to pause, reflect and hopefully turn something I have learned into something that might be useful to others.rnrnWriting gives me space to reflect on the human stories behind dementia, the joy, sadness, humour, uncertainty and connection that can so easily get lost amongst the statistics and clinical language. It allows me to explore what I have witnessed and, importantly, to give those experiences a voice. For me, it has always been about seeing the person beyond the diagnosis and sharing what is possible when we take the time to listen differently and with curiosity.rnrnSome of the most powerful moments I have experienced in dementia care have been the simplest, being with someone in the moment, without trying to change it, correct it or rush it, just be.
When Time Aligns
Gina’s latest book, When Time Aligns, brings together many of the experiences and reflections that have shaped her writing.
In Gina’s words:
When Time Aligns is deeply personal because it brings together so much of what I have learned from people living with dementia, families, carers and professionals over many years. It is my way of sharing the moments of connection and possibility that can happen when we slow down, listen and meet people where they are.rnrnI believe being truly present with another human being is one of the most fundamental ways we connect. Sometimes those most special moments need very few words at all.rnrnI hope the book reminds readers that even when dementia changes a life, there can still be moments of meaning and and joy.
Gina leaves us with a final thought about why writing matters to her:
Sometimes writing is simply a way of making sure that something important isn’t lost, a story, a voice, a moment of connection or a lesson we need to remember.
Gina has generously donated a copy of her new release, When Time Aligns, for one of our supporters. To be considered for the copy, simply comment ‘When Time Aligns’ on any of our social media posts about this blog.
Share your creativity with us
You don’t have to be an author or artist to use creativity as an outlet. Whether it’s writing, poetry, art, photography, music or something completely different, we’d love to hear how creativity has been part of your experience of caring.
If you’ve created something you’d like to share with Dementia Carers Count, we’d love to hear from you.
Email [email protected] to share your creative piece or story with us.
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