A project giving people with dementia "a chance to be film stars" is providing Tasmanian aged care teams with insights about their clients that no amount of paperwork could ever convey.
The Moving Story project is inspired by filmmaker Chris Mead's own experiences and that of his mother, Judy, who developed dementia and needed to move into residential aged care in her later years.
An interim report from the University of Tasmania shows research into the project has found the five-minute documentary films, co-produced with the dementia patients' families, provide a personal insight that clinical notes simply cannot.
"Really, this all began with the day of my mother's funeral," Mr Mead said.
"She had dementia and was in residential aged care for many years. Some carers came to her funeral and, at a funeral, you tell lots of stories.
"So carers came up to me and said, 'We just didn't know some of those things about your mum'.
Assisted by Munnew Day Centre in Devonport and Arts Tasmania, Mr Mead's Arts Health Agency is creating films with people transitioning from home care through Munnew into full-time care.
The films draw on a person's life story, attitudes, loves, losses and passions. Often the co-productions are led by family and also involve Munnew carers.
The hope is that the story travels with you.
"We're just exploring the idea, hoping it can improve the care someone receives," Mr Mead said.
"And there are carers and family and where they're at. They struggle too and they matter just as much.
"They're so brave when they talk about going into aged care — or about being the person left at home. It's a really hard thing to talk about.
Munnew team leader Tammy Bromfield says the people they meet through their dementia-specific program are finding their voice through Moving Story.
"These films have led to some incredible conversations we've all been able to have together," Ms Bromfield said.
"Someone like Ted [Hicks], we've learnt how important music is to him. He plays every chance he gets and at our fortnightly cafe events.
"People need to know that someone is listening, someone wants to know, and somebody cares.
"The films have been quite emotional for families but, in turn for my staff, we've all shed a tear."
Mr Mead said he would always remember how disempowered he felt when his mother moved into aged care.
"It's a small room and you just don't feel you have the agency to speak up. You want to be part of the solution."
Many people who have participated in the Moving Story project — and other programs Agency and Munnew have collaborated on over many years — discover new talents and interests.
Marj Fitzgerald discovered the joy of dance when she spontaneously took to the stage for a video shoot for young musician Ella J, part of the Arts Health Agency's Soul Connection project bringing young and old creatives together.
"[Marj] has two daughters and, like me, they cried when they saw the end product. I had never seen her dance in that way really ever," Marj's husband, Chris Lacey, said.
"It's a very emotional thing for family. It's been a joy to get emotional and not hide it."
A presentation about the Moving Story project at the National Elder Abuse Conference in Hobart generated much interest in the experimental work.
It is funded until June and the university research will also be finalised. The future is uncertain after that, but Mr Mead said he was looking for potential partnerships and stakeholders to help it continue.
"Mum always felt invisible, as a widow and a pensioner," he said, approaching her memorial plaque at the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden.
"The quote that's on her plaque directs this work; it says, 'Rejoice in the infinite beauty of this moment of now.'"
