Overview
Art programming focused on providing creative outlets has the potential to become an innovative care model for older adults with dementia. Artistic engagement is a powerful healer and driver of societal change. Artistic creation challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that society has on aging with cognitive disorders. For older adults who experience isolation, stigmatization, and dehumanization due to cognitive disorders, the arts can be a vital tool to integrate them into a community and help them live more dignified lives. In addition, artistic creation makes these persons feel engaged, accomplished, and gain a renewed sense of self. The arts and creative expression are essential for healthy brain aging as they provide cognitive stimulation and promote quality of life. Arts engagement offers an effective approach for older adults with cognitive disorders to better prepare for and manage their aging process. As strategic community leaders, museums can improve the lives of older adults with dementia, and their families, by becoming vital allies in creating age friendly communities. It is crucial to make art programming accessible to marginalized and underserved communities, such as the Latino community of the San Francisco Bay Area. Latinos, especially those with cognitive disorders, don’t have many opportunities to engage in the arts and in the cultural lives of museums. There is a gap of services in California for the Latino population that will widen soon because of the rapidly aging demographics of the Latino population.
Project Details
This project will create high quality visual arts workshops tailored for older Latinos with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in The de Young Museum (DYM). The aim is to instill awareness in brain health among older Latinos with MCI attending visual arts workshops in DYM. The art workshop will take place at DYM and will conclude with an exhibition and a brain health talk open to the public. There will be a book printed with the participant’s artwork and their own reflections about their experience. At the end of the workshop, participants will identify as artists, find enjoyment in being creative, acquiring new skills, connecting with others and being part of a community. My long-term goal is to expand the proposed art engagement program to other museums in the Bay Area. This project has the potential of incentivizing arts and health institutions to collaborate to create a community of care.
Members involved
Featured Collaborators
