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Australian Journal of Dementia Care
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their own stories and have these validated.
Indeed, research has shown that simply being
included in the storytelling space supports
individuals to be braver, more able to cope
with experiences that would usually be
challenging, and to feel more connected with
those who share the space with them (Grace
2014). This may be particularly important for
people living in long-term care facilities who
become emotionally vulnerable due to losing
links to their personal and cultural past
(Chaudhury 2003).
Wildlife in the City: a case example
The sensory story
Wildlife in the City
was
written for, and shared with, eight residents of
a central London care home who have
moderate dementia and participate in weekly
gardening group sessions. The story was
shared at the start of each gardening session,
providing structure and promoting
understanding of what would take place. Seeing
the sensory stimuli laid out became a visual cue for
group members as they arrived. For one group
member, wandering behaviour at the start of the
sessions appeared less marked.
Specific sensory experiences promoted relaxation
and the repetition of these experiences increased
awareness and attention. The birdsong at the close
of the story was played for as long as all group
members appeared fully engaged in the experience.
During the first session, it was played for around 15
seconds; by the sixth session, it had increased to
over a minute. Group members said they found the
birdsong “peaceful” and “lovely”. Observations
suggested they appreciated the opportunity to
engage in the present moment without pressure to
participate or respond in a particular way.
The content of the story stimulated memories and
gave rise to conversation. Group members initiated
discussion about the smells and sensations they had
liked and disliked, which naturally led into reminis-
nce and sharing of memories with the group.
This example highlights how group sensory
storytelling can provide appropriate, contextual
sensory stimulation and structure social group
activities. This may support communication,
interaction and reminiscence, and reduce
experiences of anxiety and isolation.
What next?
Although we have only introduced sensory stories
with individuals with dementia on a very small
scale, observations and feedback are encouraging
and they appear to be one way of providing
appropriate sensory stimulation for people with
dementia.
However, our clinical experiences over the last
three years are insufficient to comment on long-
term outcomes and are not representative of the
range of settings in which sensory stories could be
trialled. Wider use and formal research are
required to fully explore the experiences and
outcomes of this form of storytelling for people
with dementia and their carers.