Blisstree » alzheimers+therapy

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.

Huggy Dolls for Alzheimer’s Patients

Mary Emma Allen — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 10:00:51 +0000

When I saw these dolls, they reminded me of a family and stories you could relate with Alzheimer’s patients. Perhaps the stories would be of their memories and family members. Possibly they would be fantasy.

These, or similar dolls, could be a springboard for communication. At least if the patients are communicating, whether in the present, fantasy or yesterday’s world, they retain something of themselves. A bit of their personality comes through, perhaps a glimpse of the former man or woman.

“Look at her. She’s playing with dolls. How silly,” Mother remarked, in the earlier days when she stayed at a nusing home during the day while I taught school.

However, later on, when Mother experienced the more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, she would take a doll offered to her by the nursing staff. She might talk to it and tell stories when asked. Mother never became attached to dolls as other patients did but didn’t reject them.

However, knowing Mother, she may simply have been playing along with the staff and laughing to herself. Much as she did when she hid her suitcases outside the back door, waiting for a chance to slip. “I fooled them,” Mother later told me, after someone saw her cross the parking lot with two suitcases. “I almost got away and caught the bus.”

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Huggy Dolls for Alzheimer’s Patients

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

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Art Therapy helps Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s Disease and Art: Pictures & Books to Share

Liz Lewis — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 17:12:16 +0000

If you search on Amazon.com for books dealing Alzheimer’s Disease, you get over 19,000 responses. The books cover topics such as what is it, how to cope, advice for caregivers, etc. But there are very few books out there for people with advanced Alzheimer’s Disease. It is assumed that as the disease advances, the ability to read and recognize decreases. But more and more experts believe that art can have positive effects on damaged brains. Pictures to Share, a British non-profit publishing company, provides large format photo books featuring images collected from artists and galleries. Each 32 page book has 14 photographs or painting with large print quotations sitting alongside. The quotes are short and mostly from poems. At present the following theme books are available: Women’s Work in Pictures The Countryside in Pictures Childhood in Pictures Suggestions on how to use these books include giving the person your sharing the book with the choice of what to do. They might dwell on a picture, turn the page straight away or even talk about memories that the picture might trigger. Does anyone know of similar publications in the United States ?

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Alzheimer’s Disease and Art: Pictures & Books to Share