Memories in the making: outcome-based evaluation of an art program for individuals with dementing illnesses

Abstract

The author presents the results of a pilot project, an outcomes-based evaluation of Memories in the Making: An art program for individuals with dementing illnesses. Sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and implemented at adult day and nursing home sites, participants in the weekly art program use paints to express themselves by creating colorful visual images on paper or fabric. The individuals experienced pleasurable, sustained activity while engaged in making art. Utilizing M.P. Lawton's conceptualization of psychological well-being as a framework, chapter staff developed an observational instrument, which measured objective and subjective indicators of the affect state and self-esteem of 41 participants in the art program. Overall, preliminary data suggests that participation in the weekly sessions contributed to the individuals' sense of well-being. However, more rigorous study is warranted using comparison groups to determine if indeed an enhanced sense of well-being can be attributed with certainty to the intervention of the Memories in the Making art program.