About this talk
Thirty years ago, Creative Gerontologist Anne Basting experienced a moment in time that would change the course of her life forever. Since then, she has been on a journey of inviting patients with cognitive disabilities into creative expression. By making way for what Anne calls “Beautiful Questions”, we can invite another person into a shared world of discovery, shift away from the expectation of memory, and move toward the freedom of imagination.
Anne believes that bringing creative care to scale – embedded within care systems – could ease so much pain. Could we really do it? Watch Anne’s Talk “How to meaningfully reconnect with those who have dementia” to learn how she brings together artists, staff, and elders to reimagine stories and create beauty and meaning – together.
About Anne Basting
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Anne Basting is a distinguished scholar, artist, and professor who has revolutionized how we care for people with cognitive disabilities, particularly those with dementia. As a Professor of Theatre at the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she developed an innovative approach called TimeSlips. This method replaces the pressure to remember with the freedom to imagine, using creative prompts to help individuals with memory loss tell stories and connect with others. Her groundbreaking work has been widely recognized with prestigious honors, including a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, an Ashoka Fellowship, and a Rockefeller Fellowship. She is the founder and president of TimeSlips, a non-profit that has trained thousands of certified facilitators in 47 U.S. states and 18 countries, sharing her unique and compassionate approach worldwide. Dr. Basting has also authored and edited several books, including The Penelope Project, Forget Memory, and the acclaimed Creative Care. Her book, Creative Care, offers families and caregivers a practical guide for using imagination and creativity to bring joy and meaning to the lives of all. Through her leadership at TimeSlips and her influential writing, Anne Basting continues to transform the fields of art, aging, and care.
