Play teaches children about dementia and empathy for elders

New Taipei City's Education Bureau is staging a play titled "The Suitcase of Memories" to help children understand dementia and the changes it brings to their elders. The initiative, part of the city's Grandparents' Day celebrations, uses a "forgetting monster" character to symbolize memory loss.

The play, performed by the Godot Theatre Company and the Guangfu Elementary School dance troupe, aims to foster empathy and understanding between generations. It will tour five schools between September and October. The goal is to guide students to recognize the potential changes their grandparents may experience and to learn how to approach them with understanding and companionship.

Education Bureau Director Zhang Mingwen emphasized that Grandparents' Day is more than just expressing thanks; it's about mutual understanding. Building on last year's focus on dementia, this year's theatrical approach brings the issue into schools, using a format familiar to children. The play transforms complex topics like dementia, caregiving, and family relationships into relatable life scenarios.

"The Suitcase of Memories" depicts a family initially struggling to comprehend their elder's changing behavior but gradually learning to adapt. Through interactive elements, the play highlights the importance of family support and professional resources like Long-Term Care 3.0. The event also encourages children to engage with their elders, share stories, and strengthen their bonds.

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Every elder has a life story worth listening to. Grandparents' Day is not just about saying 'thank you,' but more importantly, about enabling different generations to understand each other.