Service-learning activity: a memory box for the social participation of older adults living with dementia and their informal caregivers

Identifier:  imarina:9454166

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9454166

Authors:  Blanca Deusdad

Abstract:
This paper presents a service-learning activity by gerontologicalsocial work students with older adults with dementia and theirinformal caregivers. Students built memory boxes for olderadults by collecting significant objects, music, pictures andscents to reconstruct the older adult’s biography, thereby estab-lishing intergenerational relationships and facilitating mechan-isms for the social inclusion of older adults with dementia. Thepaper is based on in-class observations and thematic analyses ofstudents’ reflexive diaries. This service-learning activity helpedolder adults connect with their memories and life trajectoriesand enabled informal caregivers to see the significant biogra-phies of their relatives. Students also learned through practicewhile implementing theoretical knowledge and conductinga real social intervention with older adults. This activity moti-vated students to learn more about gerontological social workand even consider working in it.