The ‘Can You See What I See?’ book promotes living well with dementia and advocates for a society to see the person first and not the disease. It is strongly informed by listening to people with dementia, and to those who support them, their families, friends, and the medical professionals.
The book developed from a solo art exhibition by Caroline Hyland in Tallaght University Hospital in 2017 which was supported and funded by the Adelaide Health Foundation (AHF), The Meath Foundation and National Centre for Arts and Health. It toured to a number of venues over the last number of years. A full series of the ‘Can You See What I See?’ framed art prints with accompanying text were purchased by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin and by Tallaght University Hospital.
Through additional financial support from the AHF it was possible to share the work further through artist’s talks, presentations and art workshops for the HSE, Trinity College and at the Engaging Dementia 10th International Dementia conference in 2018.
Can You See What I See?
In June 2021 Caroline self-published the ‘Can You See What I See?’ book with the aim of reaching more people and to promote awareness and create more supportive communities where a person living with dementia is included and valued. The book can be shared with both young and old in your communities, with your family and friends, students, and work colleagues to start conversations and inspire all to see people that live with dementia as valued citizens and support them to remain engaged, feel included and live well in their communities.
The book is 40 pages and includes 12 full colour hand painted illustrations. Each picture is accompanied by text that tells a story and offers the reader some suggestions to supporting a person living with Dementia. The practical things we can all do, which may have a positive effect on a person’s day. It is listed as a Healthy Ireland in libraries book and is available to borrow from most local libraries (Library Ref:616.83) or can be purchased from Caroline or LWwD directly. Caroline donated all proceeds from the book to the Living Well with Dementia programme. For more information see Caroline’s website www.carolinehyland.com
