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Writing workshops build community among isolated older adults

Making a Positive Difference

We sat down to interview Dr. Kate de Medeiros on her Self Stories writing workshops for older adults. Dr. de Medeiros developed Self Stories in part to help build community and social networking among older adults who can become socially isolated. Each workshop is based on a different literary genre and the participants are asked to write according to the genre of the week. Group members are then given time and space to share what they wrote if they like. Dr. de Medeiros explains that, "in housing communities where, although there are lots and lots of people there, folks can remain feeling quite isolated." She has most recently implemented her workshops for the Franklin Foundation and is currently writing a grant proposal to study the effects of these workshops on interactions and social networking among older adults.

Learn more about Dr. de Medeiros and her work.