EVOKING MEMORIES THROUGH THE ARTS IS A NOVEL WAY OF WORKING WITH MEMORY

The word “art” has a wide meaning. It can be attributed to any human activity made with care and dedication, or any set of rules necessary to develop an activity in the best possible way. Within this context, one can talk about the “art of cuisine”, the creativity in preparing food that depends on each region’s culture and customs.

In the present workshop on confectionary, this art form has been used with the intention to work with memory through gastronomic tastes; tastes that bring back memories of lived events. This is how the patients’ families, participating in the workshop, recount the experience.

The families were given a questionnaire in which the majority quantified the workshop as “original”, “innovative”, “excellent”, and thus, it obtained a very positive assessment. In terms of the programme, what caught their attention the most and with enormous satisfaction, was, above all, the active participation of the patients when they were asked to carry out the recipes and their engagement in the activities. This demonstrated that they were not treated as mere onlookers but as active members of the team performing the different skills in the preparation of desserts.

Everyone found Torreblanca’s presence very pleasant. They appreciated his ever easy and friendly attitude and responses, showing both patience and professionalism.

Many of the jobs and occupations that the patients had fulfilled in the past - as chefs, housewives and bakers - proved to have a stimulating effect and evoked many autobiographical memories. They were brought to the surface in a spontaneous way, together with other feelings and attitudes like nostalgia, happiness and the ability to surpass oneself.

The families recognised an improvement in the patient’s state of mood during and after the workshop. When asked if they wanted to change anything, they did not suggest any constructive criticism or ideas for improvement, except to express a desire that the workshop could have spanned a longer period of time.

Finally, we would like to congratulate the family members for their interest and participation during the course of the workshop. We do recognise and admire their patience and involvement in caring for the patient who follows a multidisciplinary treatment in our unit.

Gema Reinante Mariscal, Clinic Psychologist.