Bringing the magic of life: The power of co-constructing digital storytelling with people with dementia

The number of people living with dementia is continuing to increase. Past research found benefits of digital storytelling for persons with dementia, including enhanced relationships, communication, improved well-being, and social citizenship. My research explored the experience of digital storytelling for people living with early stage dementia as part of a cross-Canada project including three sites: Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto. The Vancouver research was conducted as my thesis research. In Vancouver, six participants were recruited from retirement residences, a care facility, and the Alzheimer Society of B.C. I met with participants for 6 to 16 sessions to create digital stories. Data collected included observational field notes, audio recordings from the sessions, and interviews that were transcribed and analyzed. The process illuminated the experience of digital storytelling for people living with dementia. Aspects of participant’s experience included creating a legacy, dementia awareness-raising, facilitated reminiscence, engagement in the process of creation, and generativity.