We cherish our founding member Hearts & Minds – Home of the Clowndoctors & Elderflowers for this extraordinary jubilee: Elderflowers have been making valuable connections and enhancing well-being for people with dementia for 25 years.
The program was developed by Magdalena Schamberger, Founder and former Artistic Director, in collaboration with the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), University of Stirling, Scotland. Today, they are still working with DSDC on new directions and workshops and value their ongoing input.
“This was a pleasure to observe. What the Elderflowers demonstrated was sensing their audience, their feelings and giving them the opportunity to engage or disengage at any time”, the DSDC Staff praises ❤️
How do these #healthcareclowns work?
The Elderflowers visit in duos in hospitals and care homes, wear vintage clothing and a red nose. They visit people with early onset #dementia diagnosis through to people in end-of-life care. The clowns carry a bag full of objects like hats, maps, old photographs and instruments, they are real character clowns – being gentle, naïve, optimistic, honest and simple, finding hope in every situation and excitement in the smallest things. 🔴
