Blisstree » Alzheimers+art

NYC Museum of Modern Art used for Alzheimer’s therapy.

Liz Lewis — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:11:25 +0000

Documentary by NHK (Japanese Public Broadcasting) that looks at the use of art as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

NYC Museum of Modern Art used for Alzheimer’s therapy.

Alzheimer’s Stories: A Creative Writing Project.

Liz Lewis — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 13:58:03 +0000

Check out this creative writing project designed by writer-in-residence Anthea McKinlay for the Glasgow City Council. It was created to allow people with demenita, living in Glasgow City Council residential care homes, to have their stories and words be seen and heard.

So far 22 books featuring 167 authors have been created through this project. Each of the different residential homes created their own book written by their residents. When the book was finished, a copy was given to each of the authors.

You can read some of the poems and prose here.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Stories: A Creative Writing Project.

Forget-Me-Not coin in recognition of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Liz Lewis — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:49:52 +0000

The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) is selling a 2007 50-cent Sterling Silver Golden Forget-Me-Not collector coin in recognition of those touched with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, the RCM will donate $1 from every coin sold to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada to help support the Society’s Research Program.

The coin is selling for $38.95 Canadian and can be purchased here.

Post from: Blisstree

Forget-Me-Not coin in recognition of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Photo Essay

Liz Lewis — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:30:11 +0000

A two minute slideshow of people living in an Alzheimer’s facility in Orange County. This project by Mary Amor was done for the 2005 OCC Social Issues Documentary Photography Scholarship.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Disease Photo Essay

Art Therapy helps Alzheimer’s Patients

Liz Lewis — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 00:30:26 +0000

Art Therapy is a way of letting people express themselves. Using paint, pen, charcoal, and other mediums, they are able to unleash hidden memories. No one knows for sure how art therapy works, but somehow the simple act of painting or drawing brings out memories in people suffering from brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease. It also seems to slow down the heart rate and breathing and decrease blood pressure. So it’s not surprising that the Alzheimer’s Association promotes ‘ Memories in the Making Arts Program’. This program originated in Orange County, California in 1988 and has been adopted by many local Alzheimer’s Association chapters throughout the States.

So how do you get someone with Alzheimer’s Disease involved in Art Therapy?

Dr Gayatri Devi, in her book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Alzheimer’s Disease (2004), offers the following tips:

- contact the local Alzheimer’s Association to see if there are any creative programs in your area. Also ask the therapists and social workers at the local hospital.

- an alternative to painting might be a trip to the local art gallery or museum.

- pick up art books at the local library to look through.

- completion of any art work is not important. It’s the creative process that counts.

- keep the project at adult level. Use watercolors, charcoal, and pastels (not crayons, construction paper, and felt markers).

- maintain safety at all times – avoid sharp objects and toxic substances.

- never criticize the art work.

………..

Photo: Rachael Rossiter

Post from: Blisstree

Art Therapy helps Alzheimer’s Patients

Share Music With Alzheimer’s Patients

Mary Emma Allen — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 16:25:34 +0000

Alzheimer’s patients often enjoy listening to music or having it in the background. What about playing some Valentine’s Day or “hearts and flowers” songs?

Often, when I visited Mother in the nursing home, there was music playing…sometimes it was related to a current holiday. It might be “oldies” from the residents’ childhood or young adult years.

I found that Mother, who’d often sung as she did her house and farm work, liked to hum along with these tunes. I might think she wasn’t aware of this music in her room or the activity room. Then suddenly she’d tap her fingers in time to the tune and begin humming.

Valentine’s Day is a delightful day to share music with Alzheimer’s patients you visit or those you’re caring for.

When words have lost their meaning to Alzheimer’s patients, try music and art.

Post from: Blisstree

Share Music With Alzheimer’s Patients