All in the Family
Including Family Members in the Creativity & Fun of Using Puppets in Dementia Care
COMING SOON!
All in the Family
Would you like to develop a "new" relationship with your loved one living with dementia, that is based on creativity, playfulness, and connection? Have you wondered how you can engage family members in meaningful ways with your loved one, that will build positive memories based on the present? If so, Puppeteria's latest online course, "All in the Family" is for you!
Dementia is a condition that is not only very frustrating for the person who is living with it, but it can also be incredibly frustrating and stressful for the people who care for and love that person. Dementia is a moving target day by day, as memories are lost and confusion ensues. It's not unusual for family members to experience an overwhelming array of emotions ranging from grief, fear, anger, guilt, regret and intense sadness.
"All in the Family" provides you with a step-by-step strategy for engaging your loved one in creative activities and play that improve quality of life for your loved one, while reducing stress, learning family stories, and having fun with your loved one and family members.
This self-paced, online course contains 4 modules of creativity, fun and learning, to move you from feelings of frustration, worry, guilt, and helplessness; to joy, reduced stress and greater connection.
Through an online video format, you will learn, along with your family members, how to:
* make "self-puppets" with your loved one, while opening the door to conversations about their personal and family stories,
* tap into your family members' interests, strengths, and abilities, to create a puppet performance of your loved one's life stories,
Your Instructor
Hi! I’m Shelley King, the Founder & Chief Executive Puppeteer of Puppeteria. Like so many people with aging and ailing parents, I spent a lot of time visiting my mom in her hospital room as she continued to deteriorate physically, mentally and emotionally, with less and less hope of recovery. I was at a loss as to how to create joyful and meaningful ways to spend time together. My visits left me feeling stressed, upset, frustrated, worried, sad and helpless. I also felt guilty that I couldn’t do more for her.
It wasn’t until after her death, 15 years ago, that I discovered the joy and connection that results from the use of expressive arts, puppetry and storytelling with people of all ages and abilities. In the decade following my mom’s death, I completed my university diploma in social work (as an adult learner), earned a university certificate in family supports, completed my post-graduate training as an expressive arts facilitator, and studied & practiced puppetry arts. Since then I have put my skills and experience to work with many vulnerable people - some with developmental disabilities, some with mental health challenges, some who are survivors of abuse, and some who are living in Long Term Care. Regardless of age, ability, or any other circumstance, the use of puppetry and expressive arts have proven to be two of the most powerful tools for building relationships, augmenting communication, problem-solving, storytelling, educating, healing and simply having fun and playing. It is the answer I had been looking for all those years ago with my mom.
In 2013, I started my own business, Puppeteria, to share the magic and power of using puppetry with others. I have worked with hundreds of clients directly, and coached many care-givers, social workers, and educators on how to use puppetry and expressive arts in their professional practices. Now - I’m very excited to be expanding my reach world-wide, through on-line webinars and courses.
My motivation in creating this course, is to share with you the strategies, tools and processes I have developed, learned, and implemented so your journey as a care-giver or family member of a person needing full-time support, is more creative, playful, and engaging (for you both), while emotionally supporting your loved one or client to share their stories, and create new memories of joy in the time you have together.