News Summary
Las Vegas has unveiled the Opening Minds Through Art program at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, designed to help dementia patients through artistic activities. Pairing patients with volunteers, this initiative provides therapeutic benefits while fostering social connections. Participants, including those with cognitive impairments, create art over eight sessions, culminating in a showcase of their work. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, leading to plans for more sessions, demonstrating the significant impact of art therapy in cognitive care.
Las Vegas is embracing the healing power of art through the newly launched Opening Minds Through Art program at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. This creative initiative aims to provide therapeutic benefits for dementia patients by pairing them with volunteers, many of whom are high school or college students, to engage in artistic activities over eight sessions.
The program made its debut in the summer of 2023, funded by a post-pandemic grant aimed at enhancing community engagement for individuals living with cognitive impairments. Verla Niebuhr, the community engagement program manager at the center, highlights the value of such initiatives in providing social opportunities for individuals suffering from dementia, allowing them to connect with others while utilizing their remaining cognitive strengths linked to creativity.
Among the participants is Nancy Nelson, who has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s since 2013. To cope with her diagnosis, Nelson started writing poetry, culminating in her first collection titled Blue. River. Apple, inspired by the words provided by her doctors during her assessments. Although re-diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in 2018, she continues to partake in artistic endeavors to combat memory loss.
During the program, participants create various art pieces, which culminate in a showcase of creativity. Nelson produced a piece named Purple Perseverance during the program’s final session on August 5. This artwork was displayed alongside creations from other participants, demonstrating the profound impact of art in fostering connections and expressions among individuals navigating cognitive challenges.
Another participant, 85-year-old Rosemarie Berger, collaborated with volunteer Jaimie Rendon. Despite facing difficulties in recognizing her daughter, the art therapy significantly improved Rosemarie’s ability to recall previously dormant memories. Laura Berger, Rosemarie’s daughter, has experienced a reversal of roles as she takes on the role of caregiver, showcasing the dynamic changes in relationships that can occur in the context of dementia.
The response to the Opening Minds Through Art program has been overwhelmingly positive. Due to strong demand, plans are underway to launch a second series of sessions in February and March. This growing interest underscores the effectiveness of art therapy as a complementary approach to traditional cognitive care.
Nelson, in addition to her participation in art therapy, is actively involved in the dementia advocacy group, Dangle and Dot, which seeks to challenge misconceptions surrounding dementia. She engages in research studies aimed at improving care and increasing awareness about cognitive impairments. Through her advocacy and educational efforts, Nelson emphasizes the importance of helping others as a means of coping with her own challenges.
The emotional and therapeutic aspects of art for dementia patients have been highlighted in various personal stories shared through the program. Creative activities like painting and music remain accessible and beneficial, even as other cognitive functions decline. Programs like Opening Minds Through Art provide meaningful community engagement, allowing individuals with dementia to connect with their inner creativity, share experiences, and foster lasting relationships.
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Additional Resources
- Cleveland.com: Cleveland Clinic’s Worldwide Effort to Improve Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
- Wikipedia: Alzheimer’s Disease
- The Quantum Insider: Cleveland Clinic and CAS Advance Brain Health Research
- Google Search: Cleveland Clinic Alzheimer’s Research
- RD World Online: Cleveland Clinic’s Quantum Computer and Alzheimer’s Research Pact
- Google Scholar: Alzheimer’s Research Cleveland Clinic
- Fox8: New Cleveland Clinic Program Helping with Memory Loss
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Alzheimer’s Disease
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