Food as a creative tool in elderly work
Sol, Baek (2017)
Sol, Baek
2017
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019061216619
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019061216619
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of the study is to give an overview of the sociological significance of food and its relation to social work, present the developing and implementing process of the workshop for the elderly, and assess its impact as a creative method. Sociology of food, food communication, and food design were addressed in order to make sense of food as an eligible tool in the social work context.
The project develops a ‘Food as a Creative Tool’ model in elderly work. In this model, food is used as a medium for bringing narratives and positive reminiscences from individuals. ‘Flavours of Life’ workshop, a set of a workshop with three separate sessions, was developed, implemented, and assessed. The workshop was run in Loppukiri senior community in January and February 2017. Information about the workshop was announced to Loppukiri’s English speaking club so the members could participate on a voluntary base. Originally, the workshop was planned for a group of five to seven people but each session drew ten, ten, and seven participants.
The sessions were designed and developed with the purpose of collecting stories and delivering positive experiences to the participants. The topic of the first session was the food experience. The group of people were gathered and shared their special memories of food and food experiences. On the second session, participants talked about the meaning of a happy life and had a playful time expressing ‘a happy life’ on their plates, using food ingredients. Participants got to share their recipes and tips during the last session. Although food and food experiences were seen to be the main subject, discussion about one’s self-image, values, people around them, childhood memories, the idea of happiness, and life experiences flowed into the conversation naturally. The project was evaluated in the end with three divisions. The tool; ‘food as a creative tool’ model, the workshop; ‘flavours of life’ workshop, and self-growth were assessed. Observation, reflection and feedback from the group were used as assessment tools.
The project develops a ‘Food as a Creative Tool’ model in elderly work. In this model, food is used as a medium for bringing narratives and positive reminiscences from individuals. ‘Flavours of Life’ workshop, a set of a workshop with three separate sessions, was developed, implemented, and assessed. The workshop was run in Loppukiri senior community in January and February 2017. Information about the workshop was announced to Loppukiri’s English speaking club so the members could participate on a voluntary base. Originally, the workshop was planned for a group of five to seven people but each session drew ten, ten, and seven participants.
The sessions were designed and developed with the purpose of collecting stories and delivering positive experiences to the participants. The topic of the first session was the food experience. The group of people were gathered and shared their special memories of food and food experiences. On the second session, participants talked about the meaning of a happy life and had a playful time expressing ‘a happy life’ on their plates, using food ingredients. Participants got to share their recipes and tips during the last session. Although food and food experiences were seen to be the main subject, discussion about one’s self-image, values, people around them, childhood memories, the idea of happiness, and life experiences flowed into the conversation naturally. The project was evaluated in the end with three divisions. The tool; ‘food as a creative tool’ model, the workshop; ‘flavours of life’ workshop, and self-growth were assessed. Observation, reflection and feedback from the group were used as assessment tools.