Abstract:
Educators and other individuals within the long term care continuum along
with current gerontological researchers call for consideration of quality of life
factors related to aging. Optimal aging applies to physical health, as well as
cognitive and socio-emotional health. Each is imperative to a quality of life,
specifically in long term care settings. Aristotle suggests that eudaemonics or a
state of happiness, is revealed at end of life and constitutes a life well lived.
Research reveals factors related to optimal wellbeing remain unrealized by many
residents in the long term care system. The large number of baby boomers yet to
embark on their elder journeys further exacerbates this deficiency. The resources
that will be required for the care of our elder baby boomers are of great concern
not only to elders, but also to family members, gerontologists, researchers and
educators. Thus, exploration of new and innovative programs within long term
care may address this increasing population. One such tool is therapeutic
dramatics, or theatre utilized as an activity within the activity programs in the
long term care continuum. The effective utilization of selected theatre techniques
can augment current activity programs while simultaneously providing
therapeutic engagement through communication.
Consequently, by application of theatre as communicative action,
improvements in connectivity between residents, health care professionals and
family members may improve. This action can reveal the level of eudaemonic
wellbeing that a resident is experiencing and provide a measurement device for
subsequent research as well as enhance communication through cognitive and
socio-emotional exercises. This can lead to optimal aging and ensures quality of
life factors go beyond rudimentary levels. In short, the revitalization of activity
programs, and the delivery of academic information to professionals within the
long term care environs, will benefit elders.
