ARTZ Philadelphia unlocks memory and joy for people living with dementia

Participants at an ARTZ at the Museum event, held at Main Line Art Center

The sunlit gallery at the Main Line Art Center, filled with paintings, photography, mixed media, and sculpture, acts as much more than a space to catch the latest exhibit. For the older adults here with ARTZ Philadelphia, it is the equivalent of taking the scenic route down memory lane, with art as the vehicle to activate nostalgia and reminisce over younger days.

ARTZ Philly connects people living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners with arts and culture in memory-friendly settings. The benefits of arts-based therapy for those with memory disorders are well-documented, relieving anxiety and depression while improving self-esteem and overall wellbeing. ARTZ offers 11 distinct programming options in person and online meet memory care patients and caregivers where they are, offering opportunities to create, observe, listen, and most importantly, connect.

At an ARTZ at the Museum event held at Main Line Art Center this past spring, a group of about five seniors and their caregivers gathered to share thoughts about the paintings adorning the walls. Mostly landscapes, the paintings evoked different moods and transported the group to various times and places around the globe. Brooding waves in dark blues and grays reminded them of time spent by the ocean, a house on a hill brought an old European vacation back into focus, and a grid of colored lines jogged memories of the New York City subway system, prompting one woman to recall that she once took classes at NYU.

Each piece of art became a multi-sensory experience. Participants could smell the pine needles in a depiction of a cabin in winter, hear ducks quacking in a lakeside scene, and feel the warmth of the sun in a summer-soaked setting. Joy was expressed at bright colors paintings, somberness expressed at darker palettes. It was incredible to observe the range of emotions in one session, that would certainly be missed just sitting at home. For seniors in this program, art is transformative.

Beyond the galleries, ARTZ Philly taps into dementia patients’ creative side with live music performances, crafting, and innovative partnerships with peer organizations that advance the field of dementia care. ARTZ @Jefferson pairs PLWD and students from Jefferson Elder Care and the College of Rehabilitation Sciences for conversations about their condition that inform care strategies and practices. The interactions give students hands-on experience with patients, while participants with dementia receive a compassionate ear and social connection with someone who understands their challenges from a clinical perspective.

ARTZ Philly programming can be found throughout the city, especially in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods where the arts haven’t traditionally been made available. Culturally attuned programming through ARTZ in the Neighborhood and Music in the Neighborhood serve North Philadelphia residents without museums or performance venues in their communities. Programs are person-centered and intimate by design, and co-creation is a core tenet of this model. Program design is heavy influenced by participant input, yielding a feedback loop in which everyone feels seen, heard, and respected.

A unique feature of the ARTZ model prioritizes caring for the caregiver as much as the person living with dementia. Through Cafés for Care Partners, those supporting their loved ones with memory disorders have a space to find some reprieve from the burdens of care work that’s unique in its physical and emotional demands. The Cafés blend art making, art viewing, and conversation in informal settings that provide a mental break. Toya Algerin, a longtime ARTZ supporter, describes her experience in the program as a caregiver:

“…It was a blessing for us all. Because after that I learned that it was okay that I couldn’t take care of my mother. Cause not everybody is built to do that, right? But then I also found a way to communicate with her. I also found new beginnings…so ARTZ means everything to me. It’s a part of me.”

Saunders House is proud to support ARTZ Philadelphia and the amazing work the organization does to support people living with dementia and their care partners every day. To learn more about ARTZ, get involved, or support their initiatives, visit their website.