collage and dementia care

When people with dementia collage (with self selected cut outs from magazines), they often choose the same theme consistently. It's usually based on special memories and experiences from their past. For example, a mother may collage about children and family life. A former accountant may collage figures and numbers.
Creating collages can help us explore memories and messages from our inner world. Although dementia gradually robs one of memory, one's self of self and identity often remains.
This collage uses 1950's Vivian Maier street photography and vintage aspic and jelly recipes to encourage discussion around 50's life and cooking.

Dement Neuropsychol 2009 December; 3(4):299-302