Red Blooms In Spring, a watercolor by 91 year old Hope participant Theresa Aiello, is featured on the front cover of the May, 2008, issue of Medicine & Health Rhode Island, the journal of the Rhode Island Medical Society. A commentary in the magazine by John Stoukides, MD, noted gerontologist and Hope trustee, advises physicians to consider the benefits of programs like Hope for their patients with memory loss. Read it below.

Creative and Sensory Therapies
Enhance the Lives of
People with Alzheimer’s

By John Stoukides, M.D.
Medical Director
Rhode Island Mood & Memory Research Institute

Today, physicians have access to an enormous body of research and knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacologic treatment options have also increased significantly over the past few years. However, pharmacologic treatment is only one part of the overall care plan for improving the quality of life of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Long-term care facilities and adult day centers throughout Rhode Island use a variety of creative and sensory therapies to enhance the lives of people with Alzheimer’s including aromatherapy and massage; painting, pottery, sculpting; music and dance; exercise and cooking.

The “Memories Fade…Love Inspires” art exhibit, recently held at the Bellini Ruggeri Gallery in Providence, showcased a collection of watercolor paintings and pottery pieces created by participants at the Hope Alzheimer’s Center. The cover of this magazine features the beautiful work of Theresa Aiello, a long time participant in the therapeutic art program at the Hope Center. Although Theresa, age 91, has had no formal art training she is able to creatively express herself through vivid color

Since opening its doors in 1995, art therapy has been a centerpiece of the adult day program at the Hope Center. Through the years, the Center has reported seeing many withdrawn and quiet participants begin to engage in lively conversations about a special place or time in their life reflected in the painting.

Research conducted in the field of Alzheimer’s shows clear evidence that art therapy is a powerful, nonmedical way to engage minds in the grip of this disease. For people with memory loss, creative and sensory activities can help:

• Promote well being
• Help maintain skills
• Aid communication by using sensory rather than cognitive pathways
• Enhance relationships
• Utilize past skills
• Express emotion
• Facilitate decision making
• Encourage cooperation with others
• Combat depression

Why are creative and sensory therapies an important component in the daily care of people with Alzheimer’s?
According to a report issued by the Alzheimer’s Association in 2007, the number of people age 65 and over with Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to be 7.7 million in 2030, a greater than 50 percent increase over the number currently affected.

Although treatment is not available today that can delay or stop the deterioration of brain cells in Alzheimer’s disease, studies have consistently shown that active medical management of Alzheimer’s and other dementias can significantly improve quality of life through all stages of the disease for diagnosed individuals and their caregivers. Active medical management includes the integration of support services like adult day services that offer creative and sensory therapies into the overall treatment plan.

Most of the participants in the Hope Center’s art therapy program live at home, where they are cared for by family and friends. Even when care is provided at home, most families also seek other sources of help, particularly as the disease progresses. As a trusted information source for family caregivers, physicians can discuss the benefits of choosing an adult day program or long-term care provider that offers creative and sensory therapies for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss.