Art often is as an activity for Alzheimer’s patients.  This might include acrylic or water color painting, shaping with clay, coloring with crayons or markers, quiltmaking, sketching, and mixed media.  It depends on the stage of the patient whether they can do much or even comprehend.

However, many patients in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s find enjoyment and relaxation in this form of creativity.   Many do amazingly well with assistance.

Are you preserving this art?

But it’s not good, you think.  It doesn’t have value.

However, it has memories and leaves a legacy.    My mother-in-law didn’t have Alzheimer’s but was nearly blind.  We didn’t realize until after her death how many water color paintings she had done during group activities at the assisted living home.  And how lovely they are.

One a grandson framed.  Another my daughter used as a design for a quilt hanging.  Others we’re copying so family members can have their own.  Also, we’re considering making notepaper and postcards of all of them. 

These will give her children, grandchildren, and great grands something of her artistic legacy.  Mum had never done any painting before.  So we’ve seen a facet of her through this that we wouldn’t have.

So…preserve the legacies that come as serendipities.

(Amazon image)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Preserving Alzheimer’s Patients’ Art