In May Living Library Event around dementia was held in the context of the Erasmus + Supportcare Project, a Project that aims to empower and support informal carers for people with dementia, offering tools and knowledge to prevent negative impacts on informal carers’ health and well-being, and reducing the stigma around dementia An occasion where caregivers of people with dementia were involved who, like living books, made themselves available to be ‘read’ and “borrowed” for a limited period. The reading consisted of a free, semi-structured conversation about their experience as carers.
The event involved several people and took place in the context of Caregiver Months organised by Anziani e Non Solo Soc. Coop. Sociale, in collaboration with Unione Terre D’argine, Carer Association, AUSL of Modena and the Emilia-Romagna Region. In order to best present what the participants experienced, the following is an extract from one participant, who wanted to share with us some reflections after listening to the “living books,” caregivers like herself:
“I found myself reliving many of the situations I experienced during my mother’s illness. So many emotions resurface, foremost among them a great tenderness for her and an intense nostalgia.
It is a crescendo that culminates in the meeting’s concluding intervention: the reading by a caregiver, one of the living books, of verses she composed about her mother.
“Hands,” the poem is titled, because it is through them that mother and daughter have been able, from a certain point in their history, to stay in touch.
All the narrowness and helplessness that the two women experience emerges powerfully, along with the poignant desire to communicate. But there is also the joy of having at least that one, final way to tell each other about their love for each other.
A deep emotion overwhelms me. I realize, how much my mother must have suffered realizing her gradual loss of abilities and autonomy … I wonder how much perhaps I could have done better and more. Finally, consolation and joy prevail for not giving up, for doing, even in the most extreme and difficult moments, everything I could. Yes, I would go back and do it all again. And that cheers me up.
It is crystal clear that caring for loved ones is hard work but also a richness, a gift, a privilege. Sweet, indelible memories. Memories not to be missed.”
The event therefore emphasised the invaluable role of informal carers, promoting an opportunity for sharing and deep connection. It also confirmed storytelling as a tool to help oneself and others understand what one is feeling, experiencing, living, helping to know and be known.
To learn more about the Erasmus + Supportcare Project visit www.supportcare-project.eu