Memories in the Making
Learning about the Memories in the Making program was exciting to me. This program uses art with Alzheimer's or dementia individuals who are interested in participating. Using art with these people has several potential benefits including improved quality of life and the possibility for use of art as an alternate means of communication in the late stages of Alzheimer's. It was fascinating to learn that as people with Alzheimer's progress through the stages of the disease, their pictures follow a similiar pattern of changes. These changes in artwork give insight into what is going on in the mind of those affected by Alzheimer's (personal communication, Andrea Thinnes, 2008).
I think this area has real potential for growth for occupational therapists. Memories in the Making can really improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Creating art can offer a sense of purpose and accomplishment in the artist. If a person's speech is no longer coherent or able to be understood, art offers another form of communicating. For family and friends who can no longer speak with their loved one, receiving a piece of artwork from him/her could be a wonderful gift. It can never replace the ability to exchange dialogue, but it allows family and friends to have a little insight into what their loved one is thinking and/or feeling.
In a study by Musha, Kimura, Kaneko, Nishida, and Sekine (2000) the use of Emotion Spectrum Analysis Method (ESAM) was used to monitor state of mind in individuals with dementia while participating in creative art activities. Through the use of this method it is possible to monitor "mental stress, depression, joy, and relaxation" (Musha et al., 2000, p. 446). The findings suggest that elders with dementia experience joy during the art process and also upon completion of the project. Participants also experienced high levels of joy when positive comments were made about their art . After reading this article, it is apparent that in addition to other benefits of art with elders who have dementia, increased joy is also something that may be attained through the use of art. If art can be used to elicit a sense of joy in those suffering from dementia, I think it should become a common technique used by therapists and other professionals. Occupational therapists strive to promote an increase in quality of life in their patients and using art is just one way that this may be accomplished.
References
Image retrieved from: http://www.alz.org/oc/in_my_community_10849.asp
Musha, T., Kimura, S., Keneko, K., Nishida, K., & Sekine, K. (2000). Emotion spectrum analysis method (ESAM) for monitoring the effects of art therapy applied on demented patients. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 3, 441-446.
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