The group participants sit in a circle, intently studying photographs they hold in their hands. 

But the photographs are not ordinary, nor are these ordinary people.  They are engaged in a creative endeavor – working together to develop an honest, moving and sometimes funny narrative they will share with loved ones.

Welcome to TimeSlips, an innovative storytelling method that helps people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia reaffirm their humanity and connect with health care staff, family and friends.

During a typical TimeSlips session, a group of 10 to 12 people with dementia gather in a circle for about an hour and, with two or three facilitators, contemplate and respond to open-ended questions about photographs distributed to the participants.  The pictures themselves are usually staged, non-subtle images that provoke immediate comment – examples include a woman sitting on an ostrich or a nun sticking her head through the open sunroof of a vintage Volkswagen Beetle.

And that’s when the people with dementia start talking.

“These nuns are going to the fishing paradise town of Keewaskum, Wisconsin,” says one about the photo with the car.

“Sister Edista is standing up and Sister Sixtus is driving,” adds another.

“They prayed for the car they are driving now – but it's no good even though it hasn't broken down yet,” someone else suggests.

“They are also praying to find men...to convert that is,” says yet another.

Facilitators write these responses and more on a large sketch pad, occasionally reading the unfolding story back in order to revive the group’s focus and energy.  At the end of the hour, the group is left with a sense of joy and accomplishment, as well as a poignant, visceral and often inspirational story woven from the group’s responses.

After several weeks, stories can be gathered together into a homemade book and distributed to families and staff.

TimeSlips is now available to other organizations throughout Ohio, thanks to a collaborative effort between University Hospitals Extended Care Campus and the developers of TimeSlips.  The Extended Care Campus is a regional training base for the program, with experts in dementia care available to introduce, facilitate and provide instruction for TimeSlips methods to caregivers.

For more information on TimeSlips training, click here or contact Maryann Najpaver at 440-285-7040, ext. 2212 or maryann.najpaver@UHhospitals.org.

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