In January of 2015, Nancy Madsen (program manager of the Utah Caregiver Support Program) and Jackie Eaton (faculty at the University of Utah) met to discuss a partnership to support the needs of Utah family caregivers.
This project involved twenty-two individuals providing support to an older adult family member. Meeting in small groups between December of 2015 and March 2016 participants asked one another about their caregiving experiences.
These conversations were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify major themes. Portrait of a Caregiver is a research based play created from these themes, using only the words of participating caregivers. It is our hope that Portrait of a Caregiver will engage the community in conversations that lead to greater understanding and active support.
) monitors the National Family Caregiver Support Program in the 12 Area Agencies on Aging in Utah, provides training and education opportunities as Program Manager of the Caregiver Support Program. As a previous family caregiver for her elderly mother and late husband, she understands the role of a caregiver well. Previously she worked as a Certified Long-Term-Care Ombudsman overseeing 71 long-term-care facilities and volunteered with AmeriCorps VISTA for Mountainland Association of Governments revitalizing and expanding caregiver education to seven locations in Utah County and teaching community caregiver education classes.
produce live theatrical performances for audiences who are often underserved. In recent years, Walk-Ons has taken a special interest in projects that explore issues related to aging. This is their second partnership with playwright Jacqueline Eaton. Her earlier ethnodrama, Possible Selves, which arose from the experiences of residents in elder care facilities, was produced by Walk-Ons, Inc. in 2013. Other recent projects have included Driving Miss Daisy, Senior Stages-The Art of Aging (in partnership with Davis Arts Council), and The Senior Theatre Project, a touring production which has brought original plays for, by and about seniors to retirement residences and senior centers in Utah since 2006.
