Radio Interview! Listen to Laurie on the Coping with Caregiving radio show (scroll to segment 4) discussing self-expression in the arts and how to improve morale for those in long-term care. The host, Jacqueline Marcell, is an international speaker and author of the bestselling book Elder Rage.
http://www.wsradio.com/internet-talk-radio.cfm/shows/Coping-with-Caregiving/archives/date/selected/04-24-2010.html
We were gathered around a table painting with watercolors in an Alzheimer’s unit. George came into the activity room and walked around the table and out again. This happens over and over. I asked him if I could paint a watercolor portrait of him. “Would you be willing to sit down in this chair and face me, so I can see your face?” He sat right down and looked straight at me for 30 minutes as we sat. He looked straight at me, as I would catch his eye and talk to him about his features as I drew. This gentleman, who is not able to make himself understood, looked at the final results. “I look mean,” he said. I used my brush to turn the corners of his mouth up just a little bit. He smiled approval.
A group of people who had already gathered to socialize. I sat down with my box of art supplies and found a picture that had splotches of orange and yellow on it. “What does this look like?” I asked, holding it up. “Let’s turn it into something.” I passed it around with a brush and a tray of watercolors. Margaret turned some splotches into daisies. Another one put stems and leaves on. Other strokes were added and we came up with something bright and beautiful.
When I enter the lounge of a nursing home, I find a table, spread out my art supplies, sit down and start working on my art. There are curious faces all around. Many individuals wheel up in wheelchairs. Some hobble over with the help of an aid or nurse. I place art supplies in front of them and quietly say, “Feel free to create something.” It gets quiet as they do, one at a time. Some may sit for 30 minutes to an hour, as the creative juices rise to the top….and then happily create something. There is quiet focus, each of us on our own projects. There is no hurry to finish. I am there for the afternoon…and so are they.
Sandra was an hour early for supper.
She sat motionless at the table by herself. I quietly sat down beside her with a box of crayons and a piece of paper.
“Let’s draw something, “ I said.
“I don’t draw,” she retorted. I explained that we could do something together.
“What are some things you liked to do when you were younger?” I asked.
“ All I did was take care of children and cook,” she replied.
I picked up a black crayon and drew an iron skillet. I handed the paper to Sandra and asked her to put something in the pan. She decided on eggs. She drew them. I added some other details and she colored the picture. As we did, we talked about her life and a lot about cooking. When she was finished, she wanted to hang it on her wall.
A week later, her roommate (who normally stays secluded in her room) came to the activity room and wanted a “skillet” picture too. “I want sausage gravy in mine,” she said. Hence….another skillet picture…