Trendsetters: The Original Selfie 2004
We entertained ourselves with camera, tripod, remote – and singing.
We put on a variety of hats for entertainment at The Ranch
It was ceremonious. On weekends, holidays and those weekdays when a caregiver would unexpectedly not be able to join us, we sometimes used our time together for a series of photos – taken with camera, tripod, and remote control. Is it possible we were the creators of the original Selfie?
On this page, we invite you to have fun! The “Selfie Experience” is sure to create smiles!
Hearts filled with music
Miss Ethel loved being surrounded by her family, and she loved singing! In these photos, she appears in the center at her birthday celebration.
Click arrow on photo to view Miss Ethel’s mini-slideshow.
Name: Miss Ethel and family singing Happy Birthday in 4 parts
Caption: “Hearts filled with music”
Country: USA
The Selfie Project
How can I participate?
The sharing of “selfies” – or recent photos or portraits – picturing people of all ages surrounding smiling elders who are living with dementia.
Criteria for selection of intergenerational “selfie” include:
- Selfie, photo, or portrait of people enjoying being together.
- At least two people in photo, though an even better photo would show an entire group of friends, family, and caregivers.
- Intergenerational – all ages, including very young children.
- Hats, family pets, costumes are welcome, but not required.
- Any venue, any setting – home or away from home.
Cost to Participate: Gratis – it’s free! No cost to participants.
Please - Join Us!
We are seeking participation from families and others in the dementia community who like to have fun, create a delightful experience – and relish the joy of being together. To be included in the gallery click below:
SUBMIT YOUR SELFIE HERE
Gallery
Hospice team-Dad’s 88th birthday
Hospice team delivers birthday cake!
Country: USA
Enjoying a visit with care partner’s puppy
Loving our guest!
Country: USA
Oratorical reading with a hospice volunteer
Reading with Bob
Country: USA
Credit for “Selfie Initiative”:
Daniel George, Ph.D, M.Sc, Associate Professor in Medical Humanities, Penn State University College of Medicine
Co-author, American Dementia (2021) and Co-author, The Myth of Alzheimer’s: What You Aren’t Being Told About Today’s Most Dreaded Diagnosis (2008). Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Danny earned his B.A. in English and Philosophy from The College of Wooster (OH) and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology from Oxford University. He states: “Social media tools are far from a panacea, but they are powerful and ubiquitous, and are currently the connective thread between billions of human beings around the world. As John Lennon said in the 1970s, ‘The miracle today is communication. So let’s use it.’”
Author’s Note:
Miss Ethel, “A Beautiful Voice”
Miss Ethel loved children and young people, her classroom, her teaching colleagues, her school administrators, the school where she taught, Sam (her dachshund), her church, her family, her community – and many years later, her care partners! She liked wearing hats for fun and looked so elegant when dressed up and surrounded by loved ones. She would applaud this project in which significant others surround a family member, a favorite elder, a resident in the community – and a special someone YOU know who is at the heart of YOUR care team! She would say, “Come! Please – Join Us!”