Article Text
Abstract
Background Legacy work isn’t about death and dying, it’s about life and living. It’s about making connexions and sharing precious moments with the special people in your life. It can be a means of moving on, not only for you, but for the people around you. Leaving a legacy frame gives your loved ones something to hold on to, something that can provide healing and comfort. It’s a reminder of who you were, what you loved, what was important to you and what contributions you have made.
Aim To enable and support patients to participate in a creative legacy frame project and offer psychological and emotional support.
Methods Verbally interviewed patients and the wider MDT about their thoughts on the creative arts project.
Feedback was positive.
Pilot frame completed by social worker.
Developed a four session programme on a once a week basis. Each session to last approx 1.5 hours.
Ratio of staff to patients is 1:1 or 1:3 in a group setting.
Referrals can be made by any member of the palliative care team.
Results Participants felt a personal self fulfilment as it is a short-time-limited project that they can manage within the timescales of their illness. The project was held in the Hospice setting and had very positive outcomes. The participants reflected on life with emotional support from social worker. The participants had a completed frame to keep and take home.
Conclusion Studies have shown that socialising with people face-to-face can help reduce depression, anxiety, insomnia and feelings of loneliness. Art and creative work are a vital human activity and integral to a good quality of life (Shaw, 1999). The project has encouraged people to reflect on life and given them a unique opportunity to process the events in their lives and the people who shaped it in the format of a frame.