Living Words Program
Welcome to the Living Words Program
The assertion that creative writing heals is not new. However, using a variety of creative writing genres and approaches, such as poetry, fiction writing, and personal narrative, for therapeutic benefit for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and their caregiver is relatively new.
Living Words offers the well-known therapeutic technique of writing about one’s emotions, insights, and memories to individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and their caregivers. But it also offers a lot more.
At the core of Living Words program is an invitation for participants to experience creative writing in a unique way—in a group setting, often under the guidance of local writers, and with the intention of having fun.
Creative writing is practical and enjoyable. It is also inexpensive, both monetarily and time-wise. It requires something to write with, something to write on, and, of course, the willingness to write!
The benefits of creative writing are straight-forward and invaluable at any age, and perhaps especially for someone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Three of the most significant are:
1) Cognitive stimulation
2) Reminiscence and reflection on one’s life story
3) A therapeutic release of life’s stressors.
Living Words recognizes these benefits, as well as the fact that sharing in the practice of creative writing in a social setting can enhance these benefits. By engaging in creative writing in a workshop setting, participants are invited by local writers to explore emotions, insights, and memories, as well as to make beautiful things that did not exist before.
A person can write anywhere at any time, alone or in a group, with the intention of sharing what she has written or not. But, for many of us, writing is the sort of the thing that we don’t do every day. In fact, we may even dreadwriting. We may need some encouragement and the structure of an on-going program. We may also need someone to show us where and how to start.
Whether you are in a position to write or to start a creative program with a group, Living Words will help you take full advantage of the benefits of creative writing.
Browse through our articles, exercises, and other materials and/or contact us. We will do everything we can to help you implement a Living Words program. Your feedback is invaluable. We look forward to hearing from you!
Contact Us!
Please feel free to contact us at any time at LivingWordsProgram@wofford.edu
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