Transcript Benefits of Art Interventions for Individuals with Dementia

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A progressive brain disorder that
gradually destroys brain cells and affects
a person’s memory, ability to learn,
make judgments, communicate, and
carry out basic daily activities.
(Alzheimer’s Association)
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Alzheimer’s Type
Vascular Dementia
Lewy Body Dementia
Frontal Lobe Dementia
Substance-induced Dementia
Picks Disease
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Delirium
(Best-Martini, Weeks, Wirth, 2011)
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Loss of short-term memory
Language problems
Mood Swings
Personality changes
Difficulty completing daily activities
Impaired abstract thinking, insight, and
judgment
The disease may further limit the person’s
functional ability causing Agnosia, Apraxia,
and Aphasia.
(Merck Manual)
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Inability to recall and learn new information
Reduced memory
May need assistance with ADLs
Progressing personality changes
Complete loss of sense of time and place
Ambulatory
Possible hallucinations, delusions, and
paranoia
(Merck Manual)
Inability to walk, feed self, swallow, or do
any other ADLs
 Incontinence
 Recent and remote memory is completely
lost
 Eventually mute
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(Merck Manual)
Facilitates reparation and recovery
 Form of nonverbal communication of
thoughts and feelings
 Encourages personal growth
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(Malchiodi, 2012)
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Art making is an experience that can
simultaneously engage many parts of the
brain
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Cortical
Limbic
Midbrain
Brain Stem
“Bilateral Art Making”
(Malchiodi, 2012)
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Reframes how individuals feel
Allows them to respond to an event or
experience
Helps them work on emotional or behavioral
change
Art making allows individuals to actively try out,
experiment with, or rehearse a desired change
through a drawing, painting, or other type of
craft
(Malchiodi, 2012)
Therapist Vija Lusebring believes that
images are a bridge between body and
mind
 Our bodies respond to images as if they
are reality
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(Malchiodi, 2012)
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Interventions Supporting Self and Identity in
People with Dementia: A Systematic Review
(Caddell & Clare, 2011)
› Group setting
› Paints, pastels, pencils, clay
› Priorities
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To support independence and a homely atmosphere
To focus on patients remaining strengths and abilities
To improve self esteem
To offer opportunities for socialization, expression, and
spasticity
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› Results:
 Participants claimed that art
interventions as a form of RT
felt more meaningful and
valuable than other
interventions since it allowed
them to form a scenario that
was free from expectations
and constraints
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Helped express the
remaining strengths of the
participants
Offered an opportunity for
communication
Allowed them to cope with
an environment that has
become frightening
Allowed them to temporary
consolidate themselves
and gain a sense of control
Enhanced:
Motivation,
 Confidence
 Ability to overcome isolation
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Gave them an opportunity to
“hold onto themselves a little
while longer”
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Benefits
› Feel happier and more positive about self and situation
› Feel less isolated and more connected with other people
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and the outside world
Gain a sense of purpose and meaning
Improve their self-confidence, empowerment, self-esteem,
and social inclusion
Gain a sense of choice and control over their lives and daily
activities
Improve their physical fitness, sensory awareness, and
physical dexterity
“Deep lasting effects, helping people not only adapt and
respond to changes in their health, but even transform their
attitudes to their conditions and their lives”
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Enhance Facility Environment
(Mental Health Practice, 2011)
› Welcome sign, wall hanging from patchwork
flowers, painted squares, origami
› Hang up well known art pieces
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Expressive Painting
› Explores deep memories
Keep project at adult level
 Build conversation into project
 Help individual begin activity
 Use safe material
 Allow for plenty of time
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(Alzheimer’s Association)
(2013, March 13) Example of arts activities helping seniors with alzheime. r’s and dementia remember [Weblog]. Retrieved from
http://www.arttherapyblog.com/art-therapy-seniors/arts-activities
-helps-elderly-with-alzheimers-and-dementia- remember/#.UWKFFJPqm30
Alzheimer's association. (n.d.). What is dementia? Retrieved from
http://www.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp?gclid=CKDsxLXSurYCFeRxOgody3AA0g
Alzheimer's association. (n.d.). Memories in the making. Retrieved from
http://www.alznorcalblog.org/2012/02/
Alzheimer's association. (n.d.). Music, art, and alzheimer's. Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-musicart-therapy.asp
Best-Martini, E., Weeks, M., Wirth, P. (2011) Long term care for activity professionals, social services
professionals, and recreational therapists, sixth edition. Enumclaw, Washington: Idyll Arbor Inc.
Caddell, L., & Clare, L. (2011). Interventions supporting self and identity in people with dementia: A
& Mental Health, 15(7), 797-810. doi:10.1080/13607863.2011.575352
systematic review. Aging
Auchus, A. (2007, August). The merck manual for health care professionals. Retrieved from http://www.merckmanuals.com/
professional/neurologic_disorders/delirium_and_dementia/dementia.html?qt=dementia&alt=sh
Holford, A. (2011). Creative opportunities for patients' wellbeing. Primary Health Care, 21(6), 16-20.
Malchiodi, C. (2012). Handbook of art therapy. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: A Division of Guilford Publications, Inc.
Shorters, V. (2011). Creating a hospital-based arts project for older people. Mental Health Practice,
15(3), 24-26.