TORONTO — People with Alzheimer’s are viewed through a lens that highlights their capacity to engage in activities, relate to others and express emotion, in Celebrating Life, the photography exhibit now on at Baycrest.
Ashwani and Didi
Sponsored by Alzheimer’s Disease International, the exhibit, by photographer and sociologist Cathy Greenblat, combines uplifting photographs of people around the world with text by international care partners, researchers, medical experts, care providers, activists and people with dementia themselves. It will be on display at Baycrest until May 25.
“Cultural and arts activities offer a vehicle for expression for not only the person with Alzheimer’s, but also their caregivers, and so both the act of photographing and the activities photographed are evidence of what is possible, even with a devastating illness,” said Aviva Babins, creative projects and museum co-ordinator at Baycrest.
Greenblat has been engaged in the cross-cultural project on aging, dementia and end-of-life care since 2001. Through her images, she aims to help viewers find ways to make loving care and laughter more frequent, and to reduce the fear and stigma that surround dementia.
“The images in the exhibit demonstrate how the arts can contribute toward enhancing quality of life. The countries in focus are global – Japan, France, India and the U.S.A. – but the message is the same,” Babins said.
“At Baycrest we recognize the importance of enlivening our environment with meaningful cultural and arts displays for the benefit of our residents, families and staff,” she added.
“We were approached by Alzheimer’s Disease International to display Cathy Greenblat’s work to coincide with their conference [late last month]. Cathy’s imagery is both powerful and compassionate and speaks to the continued need for social connection, creativity and life engagement despite the Alzheimer diagnosis.”
Babins said the exhibit reinforces Baycrest’s message of health and wellness promotion.
Greenblat’s photography shows that while the losses created by degenerative brain disease are real, people with Alzheimer’s can continue to engage meaningfully with others in their lives, wherever they live.
One of the images shows a Japanese woman, Mrs. Morimoto, singing in her group home in Kyoto. The text beside it reads: “Though she could no longer speak clear sentences, she loved singing. Whenever old songs from her childhood were sung, she clearly articulated all the words.”
Another image shows an Indian woman, Mandakini, chanting with her granddaughter, Srushti. The text reads: “Mandakini could no longer live alone as she became more confused. Her third son, Satish, and his wife brought her into their home, where they take care of her with the assistance of a professional caregiver. Their two-year-old shows no fear, and eight-year-old Srushti has found that her grandmother enjoys the religious chants that have been important to her throughout her life.”
The Baycrest community has responded positively to the colourful images, Babins said. “Both the photos on display and the accompanying text serve as springboards for conversation. Residents have commented on what has resonated for them in this exhibit.”
One resident, while looking at the photo of people with Alzheimer’s visiting the Louvre museum in Paris, commented on the last time he visited France with his late wife. Another spoke of the positive message of hope that the photographs depict.
“Baycrest staff have reflected on the message of looking for the person behind the disease label. Family members have recognized positive attributes of their own loved ones as they viewed the display. Every image seems to form a new meaning for each viewer,” Babins said.
Celebrating Life can been seen at Baycrest in the Water Cooler, open Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about photographer Cathy Greenblat, visit www.cathygreenblat.com.
