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68 SENIOR SERVICES

By Paula Harder, VP of Resident Programs at Commonwealth Senior Living
Henry wasn’t much for talking. His family described him as a quiet man,
and as his dementia progressed, he spoke even less. He could name every
type of fish found in every lake or bay in the state. Yet now, even the men-
tion of fishing to Henry did not draw him into conversation as it had in the
past. Until he picked up a paint brush. As the Program Director spoke to her group of residents
about summer memories, Henry began to paint. When he was finished, he had produced a work
of art which communicated volumes to those who knew him. His finished canvas displayed an
inlet filled to the brim with fish. Even when the words didn’t come to him, the memory did, and he
was able to speak to everyone around him through art.
Henry is not alone. Studies have shown that art therapy may reduce depression and anxiety
symptomatic of chronic diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, neurological
research shows that participating in creative activities, such as painting, can improve cognitive
function, strengthen neural pathways, as well as facilitate the development of new pathways and
brain cells.
Expanding a resident’s horizons through theater, music, dance, literature and fine art apprecia-
tion not only triggers the neural “memory” pathways, the experience brings staff and residents
together as a community. Residents are able to discuss and share their life experiences through
art, while giving them an opportunity to learn something new and, quite possibly, spark a new
passion. The combination of social interaction and creative outlet is
priceless.
“We observe their painting over time,” explains Paula Harder, Vice
President of Resident Programs. “The colors they choose may
reveal to caregivers how the resident is feeling in that moment. The
level of detail provided, may indicate what type of a day someone
is having. Are the colors getting darker? Perhaps we should watch
them for depression. Some of our Memory Care residents have lost
their ability to speak. Yet, they may still be able to communicate
with us, through art.”
Commonwealth Senior Living offers Independent Living apartments, Assisted
Living suites, and Memory Care neighborhoods in 9 locations across the
Hampton Roads area. Learn more about our award-winning memory care
program by visiting www.CommonwealthSL.com.

Residents recently
studied Van Gogh’s
Starry Night.