The Penelope Project screens in Seattle

The Greenwood Senior Center and Elderwise will be screening the newly released documentary, The Penelope Project to benefit creative programming for people living with dementia.

This one hour film documents The Penelope Project, a collaborative effort to dramatically raise the bar on activities in long term care.

The documentary was completed this year and will be screened on Wednesday, June 19 at the Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th Street. The event will start at 4 PM with a “happy half-hour” providing some delicious treats and beverages. This will be followed at 4:30 PM the film and a discussion with some leading experts in our community who will focus their remarks on creative engagement in aging services. The event should be completed at 6 PM.

The cost of the event will be $10 and all proceeds will benefit the Greenwood Senior Center and Elderwise. To make a reservation - https://phinney.ejoinme.org/MyPages/PenelopeProject/tabid/365991/Default.aspx

or call 206-297-0875.

What is the Penelope Project? Using the story of Penelope from Homer’s Odyssey, a team of staff, residents, artists, and students engaged an entire long term care community in Wisconsin in creativity and learning. Everyone was welcome. Discussion groups, movement exercises, visual art, stories, and music all emerged from this multi-year project that culminated in the performance of FINDING PENELOPE, a professionally-produced play staged inside the care facility. Over 400 people attended the performances. Here is a link to a small clip from the film. http://www.thepenelopeproject.com/the-film

There is work being done in the greater Seattle community to bring a bold, optimistic, innovative and creative approach and vision to programs for people living with dementia and other chronic diseases in and out of long term care facilities. This documentary will highlight this exceptional experiment and be an inspiration for more opportunity and collaborations.

The Greenwood Senior Center is a program of the Phinney Neighborhood Association and in the last three years has created and added creative programming for people living with dementia. Elderwise is a daily program that recognizes and nurtures the value and wholeness of older adults, regardless of their cognitive or physical ability, and using art techniques meets their need to experience life deeply in the present.