Art Without Boundaries: Whole-brain therapy for patients

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A local nursing home is seeing great success with a special form of art therapy, and now it's being offered to people with motor or cognitive challenges in our community, free of charge.

Mary Jussel is a certified Mneme (pronounced Nemma) therapist who works with residents at Good Samaritan Society - Boise Village.

They call it Art Without Boundaries.

"(It's) a therapeutic art activity that uses music, a little bit of singing, music, and mainly painting to stimulate the brain basically," explained Jussel. "Anybody with any type of brain impairment - Alzheimer's, stroke, a traumatic brain injury, autism."

Residents like Margaret Heim have really responded to the therapy.

"I love it, it's relaxing," she said.

"Once we get them to the table, get them started painting, then they are amazed," said Jussel. "It's something for them to be proud of."

But it's even more than that. It's a whole brain therapy that can restore verbal kills, mobility and comprehension.

Jim Barth is another resident who loves to paint with Mary.

"It was something we had to talk him into trying and ever since he looks forward to it, he loves it and he's done some incredible pieces," said Jim's wife, Linda Barth.

Now, this incredible art therapy is being offered to the rest of the Treasure Valley.

"There are a lot of people out in the community that have loved ones that they are taking care of and they are looking for some kind of external activity," said Sherri Ellis, volunteer coordinator at Good Samaritan Society. "We're going to open our doors and have people come."

Because they were able to secure a funding grant, the service is being offered free of charge for anyone who qualifies.

Jussel can't wait to make a difference in even more people's lives, showing them that art has no boundaries.

"The more people I can offer that to, the better," she said.