From left: Curtin University tutor Naomi Moylan, Catholic Homes Senior Occupational Therapist and Project Manager Elizabeth Oliver, and Curtin University Unit Coordinator of Gerontology Anelle Young. Photo: Supplied.
Catholic Homes, together with students from Curtin University‘s Master of Occupational Therapy course, have last week launched their joint life story movies project.
Held at Catholic Homes’ Castledare Village residence on 25 October, the event screened 23 movies created by the students with duration of five to 10 minutes each.
Elizabeth Oliver, Catholic Homes Senior Occupational Therapist and Project Initiator, said the movies are digital autobiographies of a third of the residents living at Castledare Village, showcasing their lives.
“This project has run annually from August to November since 2013,” Ms Oliver said.
“This project aims to engage residents in meaningful life review to affirm their identities, and to provide residents and their families with a life history DVD for validation, reminiscence and reflection so they can always treasure and remember their loved ones.”
The project’s purpose is also to “enable staff to get to know the personal histories of residents to help to enhance relationships so that staff can provide more personalised and individualised care”.
Furthermore, it helps to “teach students about older adults, and reduce fear and negative stereotypes of ageing”.
From left: Castledare Village Resident Clare Fox with Curtin University students Mandy O’Brien and Amy Divine. Photo: Supplied.
Ms Oliver added that there are 45 Curtin students involved in the project who attended the event, working in pairs as part of their Gerontology Unit “where they learn about older adults and ways that occupational therapists can help people living the second half of life to continue to live rich and productive lives”.
More than 100 people attended the events, including the Gerontology Unit Coordinator from Curtin University, Anelle Young, and Tutor, Naomi Moylan, who were also involved in organising the project.
“[We] were very pleased with the outcome, it all ran very smoothly, and residents were captivated by seeing themselves on the big screen,” Ms Oliver said.
“It also allowed residents to get to know the other residents who live here, to see similarities and difference in each others’ journeys.
“It is a lot of organising and coordination but is worth seeing the growth in the students, and feeling the appreciation of the residents and the families,“ she continued.
Catholic Homes and Curtin University Occupational Therapy joint life movie project screening. Photo: Supplied.
Catholic Homes Chief Executive John Fitzgerald, Executive Manager Residential Care Julie Smith, and Facility Manager Noelene Wright were also present at the event.
There were more than 20 family members who attended the event with the residents.
Claire Fox, one of the residents at Castledare Village, whose life story is included in the project commented, “I knew I would be a film star like liz Hurley oneday but I never thought I would see my life in film – I was the star!”