Forget Memory: Creating Better Lives for People with Dementia

by Anne Davis Basting

Memory loss can be one of the most terrifying aspects of a diagnosis of dementia. Yet the fear and dread of losing our memory make the experience of the disease worse than it needs to be, according to cultural critic and playwright Anne Davis Basting. She says, Forget memory. Basting emphasizes the importance of activities that focus on the present to improve the lives of persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Based on ten years of practice and research in the field, Basting’s study includes specific examples of innovative programs that stimulate growth, humor, and emotional connection; translates into accessible language a wide range of provocative academic works on memory; and addresses how advances in medical research and clinical practice are already pushing radical changes in care for persons with dementia.

Bold, optimistic, and innovative, Basting's cultural critique of dementia care offers a vision for how we can change the way we think about and care for people with memory loss.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 18, 2009

About the author

See also Anne Basting.

Reviews

[Ellyn Lem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was tremendous for many reasons. First, Macarthur Genius-award-winning Basting certainly deserves that recognition for her mutli-platformed approach to combating dangerous misconceptions about Alzheimer's and dementia. Rather than seeing these experiences as reducing people to what they no longer are, she focuses on the present and what people are still capable of doing, especially through creative processes like song writing, photography, storytelling and dance. Before she gives concrete examples of all of these various programs around the country designed to focus on the "still human" part of people with memory impairment, she spends several chapters in astute analysis looking at the how our culture represents dementia, often times in the most terrifying ways. I was totally surprised to find an entire chapter devoted to William Shatner's character Denny Crane on "Boston Legal," but it made sense to examine that persona, who she argues is a more positive than negative portrayal. Finally, what I maybe appreciated the most about this book (and hope to emulate!) is her writer's voice throughout. She is, of course, a scholar, teaching at UW-Milwaukee and knows her dementia research, but Basting also writes with much humanity, bringing in her own real life experiences that make readers feel as if she is their long-time college roommate. It is easy to bond with this book and its author as she takes us on a tour of dementia that too often does not get broadcast.

[Matt McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am navigating the wake of my mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis. This book was uniquely helpful. Basting first deconstructs where our attitudes towards memory and aging come from, as well as giving a brief introduction to the complexities of memory (spoiler: memory does not work like we commonly think). She then looks at various groups that are finding ways to engage with people with Alzheimer's to help readers have contexts for engaging with the people in that community. Most helpful is her counterargument to the narrative that a person with Alzheimer's is "lost" and that the only narrative for them is tragedy. They can still be agents in their own lives and there are ways to meaningfully interact with those with Alzheimer's.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful book in that it addresses people’s fears about dementia while also encouraging us to move beyond simplistic responses. I found the middle of the book dragged as there were probably too many examples of different programs people are doing in this area. Overall, though, a hopeful book that reframed my thinking on memory loss.

[Bernie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memory loss, mild cognitive dysfunction, and dementia is devastating to the young and old, especially when it may evolve into Alzheimer's disease. Forget Memory is a short read yet a helpful and resourceful book to those experiencing memory loss and their families.

[Staci Packer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing resource! This book is filled with so much information and how and where to get help with different aspects of dementia. I found this to be so helpful in my journey to learn more about dementia!

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book would have more stories about people with dementia and their caregivers, but it was more a modern social history of how dementia is viewed, managed, and treated in our society. I enjoyed the book, particularly the sections that discuss various arts programs that address the well-being and person-centered of people with dementia.

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for Aging Across the Lifespan project at Brite Divinity - "Memory loss can be one of the most terrifying aspects of a diagnosis of dementia. Yet the fear and dread of losing our memory make the experience of the disease worse than it needs to be, according to cultural critic and playwright Anne Davis Basting. She says, Forget memory. Basting emphasizes the importance of activities that focus on the present to improve the lives of persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Based on ten years of practice and research in the field, Basting's study includes specific examples of innovative programs that stimulate growth, humor, and emotional connection; translates into accessible language a wide range of provocative academic works on memory; and addresses how advances in medical research and clinical practice are already pushing radical changes in care for persons with dementia.Bold, optimistic, and innovative, Basting's cultural critique of dementia care offers a vision for how we can change the way we think about and care for people with memory loss. "

[Cymiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for resetting expectations when a loved one has dementia. Moving from fear to being able to live in the moment are covered along with a nice summary of how dementia has been covered in tv, movies and books. Good resources are covered including StoryCorp, Timeslips and Artists for Alzheimers.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Basting is ahhmazing! So many social work books are so boring to read, and this one is insightful, witty, and apt in its writing from start to finish.

If good writing isn't enough, the content and philosophy is some of the most gripping out there on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. She compassionately yet bitingly challenges what it means to continue to create meaning when memory fades, and also challenges what we mean by memory. Don't most of us assume our memory to be our individual property that creates our sense of self? According to Basting, a healthier and more scientific approach would be to consider memory as a social entity created in community. If our memory is built more on relations that a compartmentalized notion of the self, someone experiencing dementia is certainly not an empty shell but rather a vital contributor to the ongoing creation of relationships built creatively in the moment.

Excellent excellent book.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a great job of delving into Alzheimer's and talking about the fears and stigmas that are shown to us in the media. Anne the author also shares 10 different programs being conducted at facilities with Alzheimer's residence with the arts. These programs and stories show you how the arts brighten up peoples worlds. I found this so inspiring and would recommend anyone read it.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really just skimmed, but interesting and inspiring.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life enhancing and fear diminishing. Provides a guide path to living with and interacting with those who have a degree of dementia.

[Nancy Kriseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique way of bringing the arts into the lives of elders with dementia.