8. Reclaiming Narrative Agency: How Stories Empower Persons Living with Dementia

Send us Fan MailAbout Our GuestLaura Bowley is the Director of Communications & Development for To Whom I May Concern®, and a senior facilitator and trainer. Since 2012, Laura has collaborated with Maureen Matthews, blending participatory management, storytelling, and theatre to co-create narratives with individuals diagnosed with dementia. Inspired by her personal connection to the disease through her late mother who had vascular dementia, Laura supports others on similar journeys by engaging directly with those living with dementia.Episode Key MessagesLaura developed the "Caring Conversations" toolkit through her personal dementia connection, bridging communication gaps between families and care providers."Conversation is at the heart of what we do" - TWIMC®'s approach focuses on transformative communication, shifting from talking about dementia as "it" to speaking in first person "I".TWIMC® operates through theatre performances, structured support groups, and enhanced relationships that develop narrative agency.Narrative Agency helps people with dementia reclaim their voice and identity when the disease strips away their stories.People with dementia want normal treatment, requiring patience for slower processing speeds, not simplified content.Sharing personal stories publicly transforms how participants perceive their dementia experience.Small actions like genuine smiles profoundly impact well-being and connection for people living with dementia.ResourcesLaura's books for people in the later stages of dementia to read alone or with a care partner can be found at https://brightreads.ca/ and are available for sale on Amazon in both print and ebook.Narrative Agency & DementiaResearch on Narrative Approaches in Dementia CareContact Laura at [email protected] More info: towhomimayconcern.orgAbout Laura's ExperienceLaura has authored In My World, led support groups for care partners, guided peer-led support groups for people with dementia, and consulted with organizations like Dementia Alliance International. With a Bachelor of Business Management and as a 2015 Fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Laura brings over 30 years of consulting experience in business systems design, project management, communications, and facilitation to her role at To Whom I May Concern®.Listen now to discover how narrative agency can transform the experience of living with dementia, both for individuals diagnosed and those who care for them.Thank you for listening!Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast?  Email:  [email protected] use the "Send us Fan Mail" link at the top of the Episode Description to text the show!Interested in learning more?  Check out my Etsy ShopVisit my YouTube channel or websiteIntro and outro music with thanks:  Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.