Dean D. VonDras

Dean D. VonDras is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. His books on topics of aging, wellness, and later life include the following:

"Recounting Our Dreams"

This book is a collection of original poetry and hand-made collages intended to be used as a resource for personal meditation, reminiscence, and life-review activities. Of special interest to activity directors, therapists, and individuals, the book describes a deep immersion approach as a way to use and consider the poetry and art work for self reflection or group discussion. In delving into the space in-between the poetry and art, the authors encourage “thinking like an artist,” as one continues in the processes of maturing and growing older. The poetry and collage art presented express a wide range of human emotions and experiences, and authors emphasize engagement with the arts and other creative activities as key pathways for personal discovery and finding joy and fulfillment in one’s living.

"The Uncanny Grasp of the Obvious"

This book is again a collaboration with my co-author Scott F. Madey, and contains a collection of light-hearted and satirical as well as serious essays, poems, and stories. In our writing, we suggest that the existential challenges we face in our living ultimately pose “.. 'creative questions', requiring us to 'think like an artist,' asking: What might be possible? How may I continue to live meaningfully? What are the next steps in my journey?" By emphasizing a creative and humanistic approach, we hope the reader will discover that each life challenge presents an opportunity for new artistic expressions (e.g., new dances; new sketches and paintings; new poems, songs, and stories; new fiber, wood-working, and photographic projects), whose cathartic characteristics direct us on to personal growth and renewal.

"Celebrating the Arts of Living: Pathways to Joy and Fulfillment in Later Life"

Co-authored with Scott F. Madey, this book champions a positive outlook on older age and seeks to show how later adulthood is more than a time of ill-health, decline, and disability, but rather a time rich with new experiences, adventures, and renaissance in our being. It takes an in-depth look into the creative expressions of people at midlife and in older age to discover ways to stay engaged, effectively cope, and realize personal growth and self-actualization. Stories and interviews from everyday people as well as professional and nonprofessional artists, musicians, poets, and writers are presented. There is also a review and discussion of research describing age-related and pathological changes in health, the utility of integrative art therapies, processes of resilience and growth, and the personal renewal that one may experience at midlife and in older age. It expands the focus of the earlier work, “Music, Wellness, and Aging: Defining, Directing, and Celebrating Life."

"Music, Wellness, and Aging: Defining, Directing, and Celebrating Life"

Co-authored with Scott F. Madey, this book discusses the intersection of music with wellness and aging as it takes up topics such as individual and social wellness, age-related and pathological changes in health, music therapies, interpersonal and community relationships, work and retirement, spirituality, and the psychology of aging.

"Better Health through Spiritual Practices: A Guide to Religious Behaviors and Perspectives that Benefit Mind and Body"

This is an edited book that seeks to promote an awareness of the commonalities between different religious and spiritual world-views, as well as the various shared communal values that direct health behaviors and inspire healthy living. It includes chapters by experts in areas such as atheism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Shamanism, and Zoroastrianism.