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Where were you during the Queen’s visit? Using photographs to facilitate collective storytelling, resident identity and positive care relationships in aged care
Author(s) -
King Tricia,
Miller Evonne
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12979
Subject(s) - storytelling , narrative , reminiscence , identity (music) , psychology , narrative inquiry , value (mathematics) , aged care , collective identity , nursing , medicine , political science , art , aesthetics , literature , machine learning , politics , computer science , law , cognitive psychology
Objectives This paper explores the potential of photographs as a tool to facilitate storytelling, reminiscence and social connections for older residents living in residential aged care and caregiving staff. Methods Fourteen residents and three staff attended two sessions in which residents brought and shared personal photographs. Narrative enquiry was used to elicit individual and collective stories. Results Narrative analysis of residents’ selected photographs overwhelmingly showed a younger self (n = 6), highlighting relationships (n = 6) and achievements (n = 6). Sharing images with other residents and staff enhanced new connections and personal communications. Conclusion This research highlights the communicative value of photographs in aged care. Residents were able to reflect upon shared personal and global events—from the role of pets in their lives to public events such as the Queen's visit to Australia—and through discussion build a collective shared narrative. This enabled new connections and sharing of stories between staff and residents.