Memory and old age: how to better support

Faced with those who no longer remember

As part of the ethical approach it has been leading since 2019, the Partage et Vie Foundation is publishing its new work at Presses Universitaires de France, on the theme: “Memory and old age: how to better support”.

Memory is always linked to old age. Past scenes return, until they become haunting. Other memories fade, or no longer register.

Faced with this failing memory, loved ones can be disoriented. Every day, support professionals are confronted with concrete situations of time confusion. How to cope without being helpless? How not to feel guilty? Can we learn to play down the drama? What basic knowledge should I acquire?

Based on specific cases, professionals from Partage & Vie and researchers from different disciplines (philosophers, doctors, authors, journalists, etc.) combine their skills to answer these questions. Objective: better understanding to better support and formulate practical proposals.

Under the direction of:

With contributions from:
Laurence Ah-Sang, Nathalie Amand, François Bayrou, Zoé Bocquet, Éva Claises, Dominique Coudreau, Aurélie Daireaux, David Foenkinos, Fabrice Gzil, Claude Jeandel, Delphine Langlet, Geneviève Mannarino, Lionel Naccache and Colette Roumanoff.

A WORK THAT IS PART OF AN ETHICAL APPROACH

Since 2019, Partage & Vie has initiated an ethical approach with the support of the philosopher Roger-Pol Droit and with the ambition of making it one of the benchmarks of its commitment to the most vulnerable. Each year, a theme for reflection is chosen. It gives rise to a series of works (surveys, workshops, meetings), involving healthcare professionals, elderly people living at home or supported in an establishment, their loved ones, experts – doctors, psychoanalysts, philosophers, writers, etc. The fruit of their exchanges materialized through the organization of an event in June, open to the public, “Les Estivales”, and through the publication in November of a work with Presses universitaire de France (PUF).

A work that broadens the focus, with:

• The testimonies and experiences of professionals in the medico-social sector: their commitment and their kindness, but also their difficulties, their embarrassments, sometimes their concerns about the situations they experience.
• The point of view of experts with explanations of the discoveries concerning the functioning of the brain and the existence of several registers and processes which lead to speaking of several memories, and not just one.
• Formulating solutions and concrete avenues for change. They come from professionals as well as the public, from the medical profession as well as from political leaders.

A work aimed at very diverse audiences:

• Elderly people.
• Support professionals from different professions and disciplines.
• Managers of establishments and institutions linked to old age and support, as well as their professional networks.
• Families, caregivers.
• Volunteers.
• Just curious. Everyone will approach this volume with their own background and history. The important thing is that everyone can feel nourished and enriched by collective reflection. This is, in any case, our objective

Practical Information

• A work published by PUF
• “Sharing & Living Library” Collection
• 124 pages
• 17 euros