Can unifying clinical research and theatre work? Indeed, it seems, sometimes, it can, as demonstrated by "Pòsit", a show unveiled on 17 September in Figueres, Catalonia, by Festival Comic productions. The idea was simple (not easy): coming up with a show that could contribute to a new method of healthcare attention and to a new way for society to view dementia care.
The story centres on a daughter preserving her life, her vitality, and love in the ever-changing world of dementia care, thanks to use of humour. A monologue performed by a talented actress playing with her thoughts, her memories, and beliefs using humour as both an emotional and a problem-focused coping strategy. The show plays with those little pieces of paper we use to remind ourselves of things ("Post-it"), and the name of the show plays on the traces of memories that fade away but, nevertheless, remain in brains with Alzheimer’s disease (in Catalan language).
This project was conceived by a geriatrician (Dr Maria del Mar Fernández-Adarve) from Figueres Hospital and a researcher (Dr Oriol Turró-Garriga) from the Girona Dementia Registry (ReDeGi). The writer, director, producers and technical staff then turned it into a reality, with support coming from Catalan Healthcare Service, Geriatric & Gerontology Catalan Society, researchers and physicians, and other social organisations.
The opening night of 17 September, scheduled to take place as close as possible to 21 September to mark World Alzheimer's Day, is the first of many showings, with many other cities, towns and centres starting to schedule the play, around the country. The local Alzheimer’s association added the "cherry on top" by opening an exhibition on the same day, celebrating portraits of older people laughing; perhaps some of them with Alzheimer's disease?
