The Beauty of Art Therapy

A thick paintbrush moves across a piece of drawing paper and slowly an image begins to emerge.  As the page is transformed so is the painter; she appears increasingly less agitated. The fledgling artist, who has dementia, is taking part in Memories in the Making, a national art program of the Alzheimer’s Association, sponsored by chapters across the country.  The program helps people express their thoughts and emotions and share memories through painting, drawing, and other creative projects…Read More

Easing Alzheimer’s Symptoms With Art Therapy

Learn how art therapy can be an important creative outlet for a person with Alzheimer’s disease, allowing them to express themselves in a non-verbal way.

If you are a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, you might think about getting creative and exploring the benefits of art therapy as a release from the frustration of coping with Alzheimer’s symptoms. “Although Alzheimer’s disease results in diminished cognition and function, art therapy can engage the brain of people with Alzheimer’s disease and promote interpretive and expressive abilities,” says Warachal Faison, MD, clinical services director for the Alzheimer’s Research & Clinical Programs at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston. Read More

Art and Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. There are, however, many ways to treat symptoms and problems associated with the disease. Some Alzheimer’s treatments involve medications. Others are non-medical Alzheimer’s therapies like art, music, and more. The goal of an Alzheimer’s therapy is to help the person maintain a better quality of life. Read More

Art Therapy for Alzheimer’s

Why art therapy for Alzheimer’s? “A wealth of research has demonstrated that participation in creative activities promotes health and well being by stimulating curiosity and self-evaluation, by encouraging individuals to express themselves in meaningful ways, and by affirming their dignity and self-worth.” So sure are the authors of this quote in the power of art therapy that they created The Society for the Arts in Dementia Care, which “aims to disseminate knowledge and establish ties with dementia care organizations worldwide, thereby improving the quality of life for people with dementia.” Read More