History of Living Words Program
In 2008, Dr. Kara Bopp, Joyce Finkle (Director of the SC Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association) and Jeremy L. C. Jones (English lecturer and writer) launched the first creative writing group for caregivers and loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The first workshop series utilized local writers to lead activities once a week for 10 weeks. Participants wrote poetry, songs, fiction and stories of childhood memories. The program was met with widespread enthusiasm and support.
The program has continued to be implemented in various settings (from community centers to classrooms) with individuals of all ages (youth to oldest adults) with a wide variety of activities.
In 2017-19 the program received grant support from AARP Foundation and CIC (Council of Independent Colleges) that expanded program to include an intergenerational connection component. Over the 2 years, 20 paid Wofford student Fellows, led over 300 workshops at 15 local locations that allowed for interaction between over 500 low-income older adults and over 200 college students.
The program continues to explore ways to be replicated and transformed by new interested individuals and groups.
The program has continued to be implemented in various settings (from community centers to classrooms) with individuals of all ages (youth to oldest adults) with a wide variety of activities.
In 2017-19 the program received grant support from AARP Foundation and CIC (Council of Independent Colleges) that expanded program to include an intergenerational connection component. Over the 2 years, 20 paid Wofford student Fellows, led over 300 workshops at 15 local locations that allowed for interaction between over 500 low-income older adults and over 200 college students.
The program continues to explore ways to be replicated and transformed by new interested individuals and groups.
Kara Bopp, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Living Words Program director
Dr. Kara Bopp is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Wofford College with expertise is in the field of cognitive aging. While her primary research examines normal age-related changes in working memory (active short-term memory) , she is also interested in ways to improve well-being in older adults through intergenerational connections.
