The best kind of care is like sunshine

The best kind of care is like sunshine’ accessing older people’s views through creative writing Christine Brown-Wilson Josie Tetley Joan Healey River Walton

Story telling, narratives and creative writing • Recent renewed interest; • Long history in health and social care; • Provide insights into peoples meaning, context and perspective of their situation; • Can give insights into the effects of culture, history to individuals’ views of illness, care and treatments.

User involvement in health and social care • Increased pressure for and interest in user involvement in research and practice development • Questions about which users involved and consulted • Voices and views of older people in care homes

Storytelling/creative writing • Process • Power • Practice • Prose or poem • Planned activity • used by people to make sense of events; • communicate values and identity of self, can contribute to active ageing and wellbeing; • flexible but supported writing activities; • art of writing; • needs time, resources and support

The workshops • • • One care home in large northern city Open to all residents Participants recruited by activity coordinator Seven workshop over eight weeks Up to 10 people in each One to one assistance 2 hours in length with a break Each person given own book Consent sought regarding project teams access to and use of personal writing outputs.

Content of workshops • Introductory – warm up activity – e. g. acrostics • Themed activity – e. g. using prompts • Supported writing activity • Sharing personal writings with the group

The writings • Writings read and considered in entirety, • Reflection on process of and writings that emerged from workshop activities, • Thematic analysis

Five key themes • • • being confronted by loss; unlocking memories; re-discovering the self; change and adaptation; giving and receiving care.

Being confronted by loss On reflection, I can see how strongly the writing group confronted participants with the loss of their abilities to write and to read. At the beginning several expressed their frustration at not being able to read books any more, and their keen sense of having lost the literature they loved. River Wolton- writer/ workshop facilitator

Unlocking memories • This key opens the gate to a beautiful garden, stirring memories of past times spent sitting there, in happier times, the sun on my back (Joan)

Re-discovering the self Just a short little name Ordinary – lacking in fame Always helpful Never one to complain (Joan – acrostic)

Change and adaptation The first time I came to [name of care home] I wondered how I was going to fit in after being a housewife in a small bungalow. After being here for 3 ½ years I’m still adjusting… it’s very difficult. Some of the staff and clientele are most helpful and I found myself quick to make friends. I knew it was the end of my independence. But I’ve learned to mix with people, to fit in.

Giving and receiving care Not just a professional activity: My friend Amy has helped me the most and another friend David who was always a willing helper. Amy’s always there at the right time to move my chair from one room to another. If I’m worried she’s always there for me to talk to.

Giving and receiving care The best kind of care is like sunshine You are being caressed A warm feeling on your skin through the thin blouse you’re wearing.

The best kind of care is like sunshine’ accessing older people’s views through creative writing Christine Brown-Wilson Josie Tetley Joan Healey River Walton