Older people
Picasso’s colours The use of art in dementia care has been proven to be a valuable tool in enriching the lives of people with dementia. Amana Living’s Residential Care Centres deliver a diverse range of services and accommodation to over 800 seniors. As part of their Enrichment Program, Amana Living developed Project Picasso for those residents with late stage dementia. Research indicates that people with dementia find it difficult to communicate, forgetting the words they need and losing the concepts for the things they wish to talk about. This can lead to frustration, agitation and disorientation. The use of art can provide a medium for people with dementia to express themselves and communicate their needs and who they are. Project Picasso began as a pilot to provide art creation opportunities for residents at one of Amana Living’s Residential Care Centre. Due to its success, the project was expanded to 12 other Centres. Project Picasso culminated in a major public exhibition, which recognised the artists and their lives. This was also an enriching experience for the individual participants. 240 pieces of artwork were selected, framed and hung in the exhibition held at Christ Church Grammar School, representing the work of more
Harry Venville at Amana Living
than 100 artists. Over 60 pieces of artwork were sold, raising up to $1,600, which will be invested into the project in 2013, adding an important element of sustainability. This large scale success ensured Project Picasso’s exhibition will remain an annual event in the growing suite of enrichment activities in the Amana Living calendar. Individual Amana Living sites are continuing to offer small-scale or one-on-one art sessions to residents with dementia. Art has been used for many years to encourage activity and communication but has never been undertaken for people with late stage dementia. Alzheimer’s Australia commented that the project was groundbreaking, created a sense of occasion and excitement, encouraged broader interaction amongst residents and captured community attention by fostering community connection and engagement. Each Amana Living site was equipped with an art kit, containing all the elements required for the project, such as paper, brushes, paints and a small fund to pay for framing. They held weekly 1.5-hour art sessions over six weeks. Some families donated frames, while others were recycled from existing Amana Living art. For more information about the project contact Kylie Mathieson at Amana Living on 9424 6335.
v 10 v Head2Head v Summer 2012/13 v Celebrate Connect Grow v