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Can short stories help promote dementia awareness?
Mike Hanrahan
Meath County Council- Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service
Navan, Iceland
Background
The World Health Organization has made improving the public health response to dementia a priority. This includes promoting awareness and understanding of brain health and fostering dementia-friendly attitudes in the community. Studies have shown that literature can be a useful tool for dementia awareness and education. However, most fictional literature portrays negative attitudes towards dementia and does not represent the lived experiences of individuals with dementia and their care partners.
Research Plan
Dr. Mike Hanrahan and colleagues aim to produce a series of fictional short stories that capture the lived experiences of individuals living with dementia and their care partners. The researchers then hope to publish the collection of stories in a book that can be used to promote dementia awareness to a global audience. Lastly, the team will pitch the book of published stories to an animation company with the goal of transforming each story into a short film.
Impact
If successful, the stories created during this study will improve the representation of individuals living with dementia in literature. It could also promote dementia awareness and reduce negative attitudes and stigma surrounding dementia.
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