Forever Young: Puppetry in Aged Care

Aged care settings – with residents’ rich collection of life experience and stories – present the perfect opportunity for puppetry to be used as a tool for engagement, excitement, connection and reflection.

It’s this unique, yet essential contribution of professional artistry to the elder community that inspires Terrapin’s ambitions for Forever Young, a new program of puppetry for aged care. We have spent nearly 12 months exploring and experimenting with puppetry in this setting, beginning by observing interactions, activities and behaviours across a range of Tasmanian aged care homes.

From this process, we have developed a full-day program of interactive performance, bedside visits and staff resources. This will premiere in Tasmanian aged care residences in November 2022, with the sessions observed by our research partner the University of Tasmania to support maximum impact.

From there, the sky’s the limit: we look forward to taking Forever Young around the state in future.