Bringing Art to Life: An Intergenerational Approach to Alzheimer’s

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“Each day is a gift. You know you really realize that when you get older,” says Don. Don is one of the many people with Alzheimer’s disease participating in theBringing Art to Life art therapy program at the University of Alabama (UA)- Tuscaloosa.

Now in its fifth year, Bringing Art to Life is a special elective Undergraduate Honors course at UA. Developed by neurologist, Daniel C. Potts, M.D., F.A.A.N., in collaboration with the Undergraduate Honors College, and art therapists, including me, Bringing Art to Life gives undergraduate honor students, coming from diverse majors, an opportunity to spend a semester learning about Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Intensive learning comes from both on and off campus as students spend each week getting creative with Art Therapist, Carrie Ezell, who facilitates the art therapy sessions for persons with dementia that are in need of support.

The response from students with and without a personal connection to Alzheimer’s has been overwhelmingly positive. Firsthand they see how art therapy and creativity help those with dementia, including Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Dr. Potts was inspired to create Bringing Art to Life after watching his own father, Lester Potts, suffer from rapidly progressing Alzheimer’s. As Lester became increasingly agitated, the one ray of hope they found came from Lester’s experience at Caring Days, an adult day center.

At Caring Days Lester was introduced to George, an artist who volunteered his time and talent to those in need. With George’s help, Lester began to paint. In their sessions, this Alabama saw miller who never showed an interest in art, found his hidden talent. Painting gave Lester purpose and it gave him an outlet to communicate with his family. The process of making art helped soften the emotional hard edges of Alzheimer’s disease that had been building up. Meaning, creativity and a connection to society, enabled Lester (as it does for many others) to have a better quality of life again.

Because of art therapy, Dr. Potts was able to reconnect with his father. As a neurologist who specializes in Alzheimer’s, the experience led him to become an advocate in combining art and neuroscience.

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