Art program helps people with Alzheimer’s tell their stories

Vivian had just brushed a few strokes of her painting when Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” jumped out from the DVD player. She put down her brush, tapped her toes and danced in her chair.

“I’m just not in the right mood to paint today,” she said. “You have to be in the right mood and then something will come out.”

Vivian is one of several artist-residents at Oak Hollow Alzheimer Special Care Center in Bedford taking part in Memories in the Making, a nationwide art program for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. The program was recently introduced by the North Central Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and is being conducted in six care facilities across Tarrant County.

“You’re more in the mood to talk and dance it looks like,” said Lisa Buck, local coordinator of the program. “That’s pretty what you’ve started. What is it?”

Vivian looked at her half-finished purple drawing. “It looks like a waterfall - or a hula dress,” she said, laughing. “I can’t paint. I’m afraid my painting days are over,” she said. She then picked up her brush and started a new watercolor of a big, red rose.

Across the busy table, Jeanette put the finishing touch on her portrait of a rose. “Roses have always been my favorite flower,” she said, signing her name at the bottom of her picture. She smiled and got to work on her third floral for the day.

“You’re really going to town with your painting today,” said volunteer Susan Moore.

“I like to paint. And I don’t have any place else to go,” Jeanette quipped back.

An art of me

Memories in the Making began about 20 years ago by two artists in California. The program, adopted now by 18 chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association nationwide, had long been on the wish list of Theresa Hocker, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s North Central Texas Chapter. The chapter’s pilot program launched in February, shortly after Buck was hired. Since its inception, more than 100 individuals – “We like to call them ‘artists,’” said Buck – in 10 care facilities in four counties have participated in the program. The program’s success is preparing the chapter to expand it throughout its service region, Hocker said.

“At a time when many agencies have to cut back on programs because of the economy, we could not be more delighted with our chapter’s newest initiative,” Hocker said. “Those with Alzheimer’s disease have so much lost in their lives as the disease progresses; we are pleased Memories in the Making offers a creative outlet, along with an opportunity for interacting with others and just having fun.”

As a direct result of its success with the art program, the chapter will showcase a special selection of 50 personal paintings created by residents with dementia in area care facilities. “An Art of Me: Paintings by People with Dementia,” will open Sept. 24 at Tanglewood Oaks, 2698 S. Hulen St. in Fort Worth. The opening celebration is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the public is invited.

Support for the exhibition came from the Amon G. Carter Foundation and from the late Juanelle Stevens.

The works include paintings by residents at Arden Courts and Eden Terrace, Arlington; James L. West Alzheimer Center and Tanglewood Oaks, Fort Worth; Oak Hollow, Bedford; Walnut Creek, Mansfield; Manor Care, North Richland Hills; Texhoma Christian Care Center, Wichita Falls; Windcrest, Abilene; and Wesley Woods Alzheimer’s Care Center, Waco.

Vivid, cheerful and highly creative, the watercolors often look like pieces of modern art. For the artists who are losing many of their abilities, the abstract paintings stimulate brain health and help open up new avenues for self-expression, communication and remembrance, Hocker said.

“The paintings that will be exhibited truly reflect the enthusiasm, joy and creativity of the artists,” Hocker said. “The paintings help us recognize that we all have our own story, even when we don’t have the words to express what we want to say. The paintings are a lovely way to express what’s inside when words fail us.”

Improving the quality of life

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, every 70 seconds someone develops the dreaded disease and by mid-century, someone will develop Alzheimer’s every 33 seconds. The seventh leading cause of death among American adults, Alzheimer’s now affects as many as 5.3 million Americans. By 2010 there will be nearly a half million new cases of Alzheimer’s each year.

Hocker said the North Central Texas chapter is hoping to reduce the risk of dementia and extend the quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s by offering Memories in the Making. A weekly, one-hour art session in an assisted living center, the program is facilitated by Buck, who has a museum background, with the help of care staff and volunteers. Participants use high quality watercolors to paint on thick paper. Each artist receives individual attention and encouragement during the process, which often sparks lively conversations.

“It’s very simple and unique,” Buck said. “It helps jog memories as the artists draw and paint. People start telling stories about their past; it’s always interesting to hear them talk about their childhood and families and stories about growing up.”

Anyone who can hold a brush, Buck said, can create a piece of art, even if it’s circles, dots and straight lines.

“If it’s paint on paper, it’s a painting,” Buck said, “and we display every painting at the end of a class.”

Volunteers are an integral part of the program, Buck said. “It’s good to have someone who’s not family or staff work with and encourage the artists.”

Moore discovered Memories in the Making by accident while searching for another place to volunteer during the summer. An employee at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Grand Prairie, Moore said her company encourages volunteerism in the community.

“My friends found out I’ve been doing this and think it’s cool,” Moore said. “Now they want to do some volunteering.”

The “Art of Me” exhibit will be on view through Oct. 23.

 “We hope the awareness around Memories in the Making will help generate increased awareness about our chapter’s multitude of programs and services and how we help those coping with this awful disease,” Hocker said.

To find out how to host Memories in the Making or to find a community class, contact Lisa Buck at 817-336-4949 or visit  www.alz.org/northcentraltexas