Enhancing life with Alzheimer's : how the arts and art-making benefit persons with Alzheimer's Disease

• Main Author: Osborn, Rachel Suniga
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Alzheimer's Disease; Dementia; Art; Art-making; Quality of life
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2152/ETD-UT-2012-05-5118

The purpose of this research was to determine if incorporating individualized arts and art-making activities into the caregiving of persons with Alzheimer's Disease would help to improve their overall quality of life. To answer this question, I conducted an eight-week qualitative case study of two persons with Alzheimer's Disease. I visited the patients and their caregivers in their homes, and facilitated the incorporation of arts and art-making activities into their caregiving. These activities included painting with watercolors and acrylic paints, sewing, dancing, listening to music, collage, craftwork, storytelling, and sharing past art experiences. As a result of participating in this case study, the two persons with Alzheimer's Disease experienced increased confidence and self-esteem, a positive means of communication and social engagement, an opportunity to be validated and valued as persons with a rich life history and valuable remaining talents, and they developed new physical and mental abilities. === text