Creating Art as Therapy for DEMENTIA

Expressing Creativity is Good for the Soul

The three paintings above are all from art programs designed specifically for people with dementia. These paintings may not be considered to be great art. On the other hand,  they are certainly pleasing to look at, don’t you think? Each painting tells its own story. Each story demonstrates that creating art as therapy for Alzheimer’s really works.

Introduction

In this article we explore the benefits of art therapy for people with dementia. Recently, non-pharmacological interventions have gained significant attention for their ability to enhance quality of life for people who have Alzheimer’s disease and other types of cognitive disorders. Art therapy uses creative expression to stimulate the mind, evoke memories, and promote emotional well-being. Engaging in creative activities is good for all of us, and can foster communication, reduce agitation, and preserve a sense of identity and purpose.

We will also look at some practical ways to create and equip a high quality art program in your own community. Architects and designers of elder care communities can create more engaging and therapeutic environments by incorporating dedicated spaces for this kind of art program into their designs.

Memories in the Making

The painting in the center of the three above tell a particularly poignant story. It  demonstrates perfectly why art therapy can be such a powerful expression for someone who is having a hard time communicating. I’ll let Sam explain:

Sam, as she preferred being called, is the creator of the art therapy program, Memories in the Making. MIM is a program Sam created with Alzheimer’s Orange County in California. The goal of the program and the book is to help individuals and communities to develop art programs that can be therapeutic as well as enjoyable for people with dementia and other cognitive disorders. A look at the unexpanded Table of Contents will give you an idea of just how thorough the program is:

Table of Contents—MIM

Language is affected fairly early in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. If you provide care for a person who has Alzheimer’s you have probably, at one time or another, seen him (or her) struggle to find the words to say what he wants to say. The idea is there. He has the desire to communicate that idea to you. He just can’t get the  word out. We have all at one time or another felt that the word we need to relate a thought is “on the tip of my tongue”. We just can’t get it out. Imagine this feeling magnified ten- or twenty-fold, and you will start to share the frustration of a person with Alzheimer’s.

Painting and drawing, even sculpting, are common hobbies. All are excellent ways to relax, but creating art is more than just a recreational pastime. Art provides a way to reach inside ourselves, to put on paper or some other medium, a representation of thoughts and feelings that we may not be able to express in any other way. Sometimes words fail us.

THE ACT OF CREATION IS Therapy for Alzheimer’s/DEMENTIA

Creativity is affected at a much later stage as Alzheimer’s progresses through the brain. When words are gone, art becomes a more suitable vehicle for expression. Art therapy can use almost any expressive medium; it need not be limited to painting or drawing. Sculpting in clay, dance or creative movement, performance art, creative writing and music, are just some of the other ways to stimulate an individual’s creativity. An inexpensive digital camera makes photography an excellent vehicle for art therapy. Variety is good. Find the art activities that the person or people in your care enjoy doing.

This page shows several paintings that were done by participants in the Memories in the Making program. They demonstrate a rather amazing range of talent, insight, and creativity

Some Initial Considerations

A trained art therapist will optimize the benefit of an art activity, but not everyone has that option available to them. We will give you some basics that will allow you to be an effective art facilitator whether you are taking care of a loved one at home, a visiting caregiver, or an activity professional working in a dementia care community. We will also provide references to help you learn more about art therapy.

• Create a pleasing setting and keep it consistent. Play music to set the tone and to help prime the creative process. The art room should be well lit. Natural light is best, but not always possible. Just make sure the work area is well illuminated. If you are using  a model (bowl of fruit, vase with flowers, another painting to be copied), be sure to illuminate the subject, as well. The artist(s) should be as comfortable as possible.
• Especially if you are working with a group, have all material prepared before your group enters the art room. Being  ready to go not only saves time and avoids possible frustration, but it offers a visual clue to what will be happening.
• If you lead enough sessions, you will eventually be surprised by the artistic quality of some of the work put out by your participants. On the other hand, you must realize that most of the people you will work with are not trained artists. Discuss the art, ask questions, offer praise, but don’t judge artistic content or quality.
• Communication is one of the outcomes we want from art therapy, or from an art activity. An individual with dementia who has trouble verbally communicating an idea or feeling will often be able to do so while explaining her painting. Discuss the work, individually during the creative process, and as a group when everyone is finished.
• Be sure to have the artists sign their work. This helps establish pride of creation, but will also help them to identify it later as something they have done. People with dementia will not necessarily remember doing the painting or drawing, or sculpture, but will likely recognize their signature.

• Keep it enjoyable. If someone does not want to draw or paint or otherwise participate, don’t push it. As a caregiver, you have tricks to encourage participation, and you will learn more. But tomorrow is another day. It is better to move that person to a different activity that to risk them becoming frustrated and angry.
• Make it about communication. One good way to start a session is to discuss an idea, a concept, a memory that all can share in (like a sunset), or a thing. This is to help the participants focus on one subject. Afterwards, talk about their creations, and record what they say just like they say it. Sharing verbally not only validates their efforts but their emotions and worth. It also exercises verbal communication, which will likely be better at the end of a creative session than they were at the beginning.

Conclusion

Art therapy offers a powerful means to enhance the lives of people with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.  The creative engagement provided by an art program can improve cognitive functioning at the same time it promotes social engagement. All of this contributes to improving quality of life.