How art therapy helps patients connect with caregivers

WILMINGTON, N.C. (InvestigateTV) — Some doctors and caregivers are using art to help people with memory loss stay calm, engaged and connected.

Research published by the National Library of Medicine shows drawing and painting can sometimes stimulate memories in people with dementia and other neurological diseases.

Mother and daughter paint together

June Lederle and her daughter, Cathie Lederle, create artwork at a table in their Wilmington home most days. On the day of the interview, Cathie was painting a bottle purple, the color of Alzheimer’s awareness.

Before moving in with her mother, Cathie lived in Richmond, Virginia, and had a career in a technical field. June said the first signs that something was wrong appeared in 2019, starting with forgetfulness and then repeating tasks. Cognitive testing later confirmed their fears.

Doctors diagnosed Cathie with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at age 58. Early-onset Alzheimer’s is a rare form of dementia that can affect people in their 40s and 50s.

Five years after the diagnosis, June, now in her late 80s, became her daughter’s full-time caregiver.

“And so I’ve had the opportunity to bring her back into my life in some fashion, not necessarily as we planned,” June said.

Goal is connection

Elizabeth Gronke, an art therapist, said creating art gives families a way to be together, even when talking about the disease is hard.

“The art therapy goal in many ways is really more being able to find ways to connect and being able to be in community without having to necessarily talk about what’s going on directly, especially with diseases like Alzheimer’s disease,” Gronke said.

Art therapy is described as creative expression with purpose. It includes painting, sculpting and drawing, and it gives people a way to communicate when words are not working.

Researchers have found creative activities can engage multiple areas of the brain.

For some patients, that can mean more focus, less anxiety and more engagement.

“But I’m looking for that spark,” Gronke said. “I’m looking for that moment when a person gets curious and they lean in or they’re making a choice like, ‘Oh, I like that one better.’”

Signs of connection

Staff in memory-care communities say they see that “spark” turn into eye contact, a smile and sometimes a few words.

Kate Bellon, activities director at Sunrise Senior Living outside St. Louis, said the response is noticeable as a person’s memory declines.

“When the mind really starts to digress, it’s really magical when you can see them looking at it and engaging,” Bellon said. “Eye contact is just huge. Even a smile is huge because it’s hard to get out of them.”

Through “Meet Me at MoMA,” a program with the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the community is bringing artwork to its memory care unit.

“It sparks socialization and it helps with memory and reflection, so it’s really good to help their mind get going and provide a positive atmosphere for them,” Bellon said.

Marjorie Dixon and other Sunrise residents have worked on art for about a year. Dixon’s art will be featured in an exhibition to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. She said she feels it is important to help.

“I think we’ll get a lot of people out to see it. I hope we will anyway,” Dixon said.

In North Carolina, June helps Cathie reconnect with her lifelong interests. As Cathie’s Alzheimer’s progresses, June has set up an environment where Cathie can spend hours crafting.

“I love just coming through all these kinda things that you can make your own and then give it to people to do it,” Cathie said.

For June, each piece Cathie creates is proof her daughter is still there.

“When you know that maybe it’s not how it should be, but that’s kinda my job — to create a happy environment,” June said. “And it gives me a purpose.”

Tips for planning an art activity

For someone with middle-to-late-stage Alzheimer’s, Graf said to keep these tips in mind when planning an art activity:

• Make sure the project is on an adult level. Avoid anything that might be demeaning or seem childlike.
• Help the person begin the activity. If the person is painting, you may need to start the brush movement. Most other projects should require only basic instruction and assistance.
• Use safe materials. Avoid toxic substances and sharp tools. Avoid using anything that may be confused with food.
• Allow plenty of time. The person does not have to finish the project in one sitting.

Gronke said it is important to be flexible and have fun.

“I try to create an environment of play,” Gronke said. “And a lot of people have talked about the power of improv as well. The attitude of whenever you can safely say yes and so if I think I’m going to be doing a certain kind of project with a person, I brought it, I’m all set up for it, and they go off in a different direction with it, that’s fine.”

Gronke said art therapy also benefits caregivers by giving them an opportunity to recapture a connection with a loved one or friend.

More information about art therapy is available at dementiaarttherapyalliance.org . The Dementia Art Therapy Alliance includes more than 20 schools nationwide and more than 500 volunteers.