SPOUSES IN FRAME: Care partner stories

A favourite song, an inside joke, the way you take your coffee together. What would you put in a short film about a day in your life?

SPOUSES IN FRAME is a five-session program for people caring for a spouse or partner living with diagnosed or suspected cognitive impairment. You don’t need any filmmaking experience. If you’ve never recorded a video on your phone or have no idea how editing works, you’re welcome here.

Your facilitator, Chris Bell, is a social worker who spent 15 years writing, producing and editing for film and television. Through group and one-to-one sessions, Chris will help you find a starting point, show you how to capture moments on your phone and work with you to put your film together. You might start with a clip from this morning, a photo from 30 years ago or a memory you want to tell in your own voice. You choose what to include.

At the end of the program, you’ll come together to watch each other’s films and talk about what stood out. Sometimes a moment in someone else’s film puts words to something you’ve felt. Sometimes someone notices a detail in yours and says, “We do that too.” Sharing the films gives each spouse a chance to be heard and to see everyday life through another care partner’s eyes.

About your facilitator

I’m Chris Bell, a social worker at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. Before becoming a social worker, I spent 15 years writing, producing and editing for film and television. I enjoy finding creative ways to help people tell their stories, explore what those stories mean to them and notice strengths they might overlook. I also believe there’s room to sit with hard feelings without having to put a positive spin on them. That’s the spirit I bring to SPOUSES IN FRAME. You bring the story; I’ll help you make the film and find the meaning.

Program Schedule (all sessions in person unless otherwise indicated)

Session 1 – Group – January 21

Session 2 – Individual (can be offered virtually) – January 25 & 26

Session 3 – Group – February 4

Session 4 – Individual – February 15 & 16

Session 5 – Group Screening – February 19

A short screening call is required to ensure appropriateness for the group.

Email Chris at cbell@alz.to if you have any questions or want to express interest for a future iteration of the program.