Life
Storytelling enriches the lives of seniors—and their younger audiences.
BY JOHN LOWE
Human beings are hardwired to love stories. From stories drawn on walls in prehistoric days to the stories of biblical times to the stories our elders tell at family reunions. If you think about it, you tell stories almost every day. Perhaps about something that happened at work or about a conversation you had with a friend. We love to hear them and we love to tell them.
There is a growing body of evidence that suggests storytelling can be not only enjoyable but also therapeutic for senior citizens. In countries around the world, family elders are held in high esteem, and their stories are meaningful for the younger family members. Seniors feel respected by being able to share their knowledge and experience. Here in the states, however, many seniors find themselves living in a senior home or community, and their memories and history are, unfortunately, not in such high demand.
That’s changing: Through storytelling, researchers
GENERATIONS
62 2019