1. The Benefits of Therapeutic Art
Mary Beth Flynn, Artfully Aging®

2. Who can participate? Everyone! No experience/skill necessary Dementia
All levels of care
No experience/skill necessary
Feeling intimidated
Lack of confidence
Every level of care: independent can bring themselves to the room, bring supplies and follow directions
Dementia- brought to the room, supplies provided, step by step instruction
Advanced Dementia- actually hold their hand “hand over hand”
People who are afraid- may just come watch, welcomed and encouraged, just the act of watching is beneficial, I will paint them a little picture. They might come back the next time!
Scenario: Rose who went to the Catholic school “we never did anything like this!” “We had a box of 8 crayolas”. Comes every time for 5 years and paints
One community staff said “I don’t think our residents can do this.” Even the staff has had to come along w/ the mindset that art is for everyone.
Bottom line is that everyone can participate- not just people w/ an art background

3. How Participants Benefit
Builds confidence, self- esteem
sense of accomplishment
positive feedback
Relaxing and Calming
Brings joy
Builds confidence- validation- from their “fans” kids and friends- more independent and their kids are seeing their paintings, a resident’s friend gave her a box of art supplies
Women who have lost their husbands- have their art displayed in their rooms “My husband Frank would be so proud tickled w/ me doing this now!”
They are very engaged- not only r
Often people come in and say “I don’t feel well” they start watching then they participate and at the end say “I feel better now”
Flow-staying engaged and focused- “wow that hour went by so fast”
Participants across the board say they find it relaxing and time flew by so quickly
Singing, songs that engage the residents w/ the theme
Memories, stories, reminiscing - leave their worries of physical ailments, where they are, losses-and be focused in the moment
Sensory recall exercises- using all senses w/ the memories
Remedy for shaking hands: Just let them shake! That will become your new style
Eg- a man who worked corporate all his life and when he was done after his first session and said “this is good for your soul!”
I say “ this is kind of like life, you make a mistake, well keep on going!

4. How Participants Benefit
Soulful experience-creativity
Builds a sense of community
FUN!
Sense of community- among the artists, visitors, staff
Belonging “where are my artists?” Or family members come and participate which builds another layer of community
Take it a little further: staff, dietary, become interested and want to see what the residents are doing- want to stop and sit down and do it too
“The act of putting the paintbrush in their hand and putting paint on the paper is an act of creativity” “

5. How Communities Benefit
Art displayed
Enhances the environment
Appreciated by visitors and staff
Marketing tool
Hosting a community art show
Adds to the environment to have fresh art, changes
Adds to the marketability of the community, potential residents
Daughter told me that when she saw that art was offered at the facility she decided to have her mom live there
Enhances the environment for tours
Potential residents and family members find it desirable that therapeutic art is offered in the community
Residents say “My daughter called me to remind me that I have water color today”
Baby boomers want creative therapies for themselves, they appreciate the value of the activity. See a value in it
25 yrs ago a community would not have hired me to do this, now the benefits are widely known and understood
Art show as a community wide activity- another level of building community