from our Project Director:

In 2019, I worked as a Care Assistant Worker for six months in an Ontario nursing home. As the months went by, I realised what an immense privilege it was to enter the world of long-term care. Many of beautiful men and women living there shared stories of growing up before the internet and supporting their families through hard times. Many staff were labouring tirelessly and diligently to provide care. Many family members and friends were journeying faithfully as caregivers and advocates alongside their loved ones.

 

Returning to McMaster to complete my Bachelors in Arts & Science, I realised the lack of connection between long-term care and the outside world. In my theatre class, my professor introduced us to verbatim theatre – theatre based on the real words of real people. Perhaps writing a verbatim play could be a way to communicate the stories unfolding within long-term care homes. Thanks to the support of the McMaster Renaissance Award and an incredible team of advisors and volunteers, this dream is becoming a reality.  

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The coronavirus pandemic has shone a spotlight on long-term care. Our hope is that this project will provide a safe space for long-term care residents and their caregivers to share their stories. Based on these first-hand perspectives, the play should encourage thoughtful reflection on long-term care.