Book release

In June 2025, during the ADLab Festival in Tromsø, members of the Compositions of Care network, supported by Nordic Culture Point, contributed to the creation of the book "Do You See What I See? Questions and Pictures About Different Ways to Understand Aging, Growth, and Dementia.”  
The book is created in collaboration between researchers and artists and has public launch scheduled for Dementia Days at Tromsø Library in October 2026. The collaborative effort behind the book is aimed to challenge conventional ideas about aging, growth, and dementia, encouraging readers to think in new and creative ways about these universal experiences.

As societies age and more people connect with someone living with dementia, the need to understand these complex topics has never been greater. This book, a blend of thought-provoking questions and evocative images, was designed to be accessible to everyone—children, young people, and adults alike. It invites readers to explore questions such as:
Does every older person become an elderly? Why do children want to grow? Is vulnerability a power or a flaw? These questions aim to inspire reflection and foster meaningful conversations across generations.

The book challenges the traditional view of dementia as solely a condition of the brain, instead presenting it as a metaphor for the challenges and opportunities faced by aging communities worldwide. It seeks to inspire young people to rethink their relationships with older generations and consider careers that address the needs of aging societies.

This project is the result of over a decade of experience and research into aging and dementia. It celebrates the warmth, complexity, and resilience of older people while acknowledging the vast unknowns that remain. The collaborative process in Tromsø brought together socially engaged individuals from around the world, united by a shared vision to create a book that sparks curiosity and redefines how we understand aging and dementia. A book for all ages, it even invites children to explore its pictures and make their own marks.