Art Activities for People with Alzheimer’s

Find the tools and materials you need to create a stimulating and creative art program in your home or community. Artistic and creative talents often remain strong long after Alzheimer’s disease has severely affected memory and other cognitive processes. The creation of art and the enjoyment of art are both viable and effective activities for people with dementia. The benefits derived from creative expression include reminiscence and memory stimulation, socialization, and a decrease in some or the behavioral aspects associated with dementia including anxiety, apathy, and agitation.

Art therapists are trained and certified professionals. To be considered therapy, an art session should be conducted by a certified art therapist. On the other hand, there are many benefits from just creating a painting or a sculpture or other “work of art”.

In addition to paints and brushes and art paper and other supplies, the book Memories In The Making and the video I Remember Better When I Paint explain why art is so therapeutic and give you some great ideas for your own art activities and program.