-
0,
- 24
- 25 0,
Presented by:
There are currently 107,000 individuals living with dementia in Washington State*—and another 320,000 people caring for these individuals. With dementia projected to increase 180% by 2040, many cities, including Seattle, are working to reframe the narrative surrounding dementia and what it means to live with memory loss. While many affected by dementia experience loneliness and social isolation due to the intense stigma around the disease, there are incredible community programs that are dedicated to making Seattle a ‘dementia-friendly’ city. These programs are currently reframing the diagnosis of dementia by creating a ‘community of support’, where people with dementia and their family members/caretakers can ‘connect, share, learn and contribute’ (UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center).
Looking Forward is an interactive installation that aims to shift the dialogue surrounding and the stigma against dementia by showcasing artwork and narratives that have been created by local individuals living with memory loss during dementia-friendly events. Displaying artwork created at Elderwise and The Gathering Place, Looking Forward will unveil these beautiful creations when festival-goers interact with the installation. The staff from Elderwise will also offer live demonstrations, where they will teach visitors of the festival the process of wet-on-wet watercolor painting, the same process used at the Elderwise Adult Day Program. Visitors will have the chance to create their own artwork using this process to either display at the installation, or to take with them to display on their own.
Looking Forward will provide visitors with general information regarding dementia, activities that are currently happening throughout the city and opportunities to become involved through volunteering. This installation aims to encourage everyone to be more open to becoming a companion and social connection to someone with dementia.
*Based on 2018 statistics from UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center