Using Creativity to Combat Alzheimer's
Using Creativity to Combat Alzheimer's
Learn how the introduction of a new activity changed the lives of an
Alzheimer's patient and her caregiver.
Medically Reviewed On: June 15, 2007
This educational program is supported through an educational grant
from Pfizer Inc.
* Read, listen and view this resource at
http://parentingtoolbox.com/clinical.html
ANNOUNCER: Sarina was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1999. As
the disease progressed, her husband John grew concerned about her
behavior.
JOHN: She would sit there, become far more agitated and get up and
walk around, and it was destructing in terms of my being able to do
what I have to do and take care of her at the same time.
ANNOUNCER: In response, in 2004, a physician suggested re-introducing
a once treasured activity, painting.
BARRY REISBERG, MD: She used to be a graphic designer. She had
artistic skills. The kind of art that she's doing now is different.
But she was able to take some of her prior skills and apply it to her
very new situation in life.
JOHN: I had two books actually, Cézanne and Matisse, and took
elements out of his still life paintings and enlarged them on a copy
machine and embellished on them. We have like seven different subject
matters that I put on larger boards. She'll be working on a painting
and then she'll lift it up to me and say -- and I say, "Wonderful,"
you know, and a little applause. And she gets a big smile on her face
and has a great -- grand time.
ANNOUNCER: Once Sarina starting painting again, her behavior changed
dramatically.
JOHN: So, you know, she's become far more social as a result of this
and it's all really helped. The sense of dignity, of self esteem has
come up tremendously.
ANNOUNCER: Sarina's treatment continues to include medications
indicated for advanced Alzheimer's, donepezil and memantine. And
continuing to utilize her artistic abilities may also contribute to
slowing the disease.
BARRY REISBERG, MD: The medications are helping to slow the
progression of her disease. I also believe that the care that's being
provided to her and the opportunities that she's creating for herself
in terms of her ability to take advantage of the care and to be
creative are helping also, I think, to in some ways slow the
progression of the disease.
JOHN: I mean this is the fascinating part. I mean what I've learned
from this actually is the fact, you know, that there is that part of
the brain that obviously has had tremendous training and is still
functioning, so she's able to you know, bring it back. There are
certain elements here, where even though it's a two-dimensional
drawing, she manages to still comprehend a three-dimensional object.
So the line drawing, you know, suddenly becomes three-dimensional,
rather than just a flat color. And this is the thing that always
amazes me because I keep watching to see, you know, is it going to go
away, but it doesn't.
ANNOUNCER: Sarina's Alzheimer's continues to progress, but exercising
her creativity has helped improve her overall quality of life.
JOHN: Now, you now, she's relaxed and she gets up, walks around,
comes back. Sometimes she takes a painting into the living room, you
know, and I find her in there doing it. But it's just helped you
know, tremendously for both of us. So I become the beneficiary
actually of what she's doing now.
* Read, listen and view this resource at
http://parentingtoolbox.com/clinical.html
RELATED PROGRAMS
Article - Many with Alzheimer's Do Just Fine
Video - Stress Management for Alzheimer's Disease Caregivers
Transcript
Article - Stress Management for Alzheimer's Disease Caregivers
Learn how the introduction of a new activity changed the lives of an
Alzheimer's patient and her caregiver.
Medically Reviewed On: June 15, 2007
This educational program is supported through an educational grant
from Pfizer Inc.
* Read, listen and view this resource at
http://parentingtoolbox.com/clinical.html
ANNOUNCER: Sarina was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1999. As
the disease progressed, her husband John grew concerned about her
behavior.
JOHN: She would sit there, become far more agitated and get up and
walk around, and it was destructing in terms of my being able to do
what I have to do and take care of her at the same time.
ANNOUNCER: In response, in 2004, a physician suggested re-introducing
a once treasured activity, painting.
BARRY REISBERG, MD: She used to be a graphic designer. She had
artistic skills. The kind of art that she's doing now is different.
But she was able to take some of her prior skills and apply it to her
very new situation in life.
JOHN: I had two books actually, Cézanne and Matisse, and took
elements out of his still life paintings and enlarged them on a copy
machine and embellished on them. We have like seven different subject
matters that I put on larger boards. She'll be working on a painting
and then she'll lift it up to me and say -- and I say, "Wonderful,"
you know, and a little applause. And she gets a big smile on her face
and has a great -- grand time.
ANNOUNCER: Once Sarina starting painting again, her behavior changed
dramatically.
JOHN: So, you know, she's become far more social as a result of this
and it's all really helped. The sense of dignity, of self esteem has
come up tremendously.
ANNOUNCER: Sarina's treatment continues to include medications
indicated for advanced Alzheimer's, donepezil and memantine. And
continuing to utilize her artistic abilities may also contribute to
slowing the disease.
BARRY REISBERG, MD: The medications are helping to slow the
progression of her disease. I also believe that the care that's being
provided to her and the opportunities that she's creating for herself
in terms of her ability to take advantage of the care and to be
creative are helping also, I think, to in some ways slow the
progression of the disease.
JOHN: I mean this is the fascinating part. I mean what I've learned
from this actually is the fact, you know, that there is that part of
the brain that obviously has had tremendous training and is still
functioning, so she's able to you know, bring it back. There are
certain elements here, where even though it's a two-dimensional
drawing, she manages to still comprehend a three-dimensional object.
So the line drawing, you know, suddenly becomes three-dimensional,
rather than just a flat color. And this is the thing that always
amazes me because I keep watching to see, you know, is it going to go
away, but it doesn't.
ANNOUNCER: Sarina's Alzheimer's continues to progress, but exercising
her creativity has helped improve her overall quality of life.
JOHN: Now, you now, she's relaxed and she gets up, walks around,
comes back. Sometimes she takes a painting into the living room, you
know, and I find her in there doing it. But it's just helped you
know, tremendously for both of us. So I become the beneficiary
actually of what she's doing now.
* Read, listen and view this resource at
http://parentingtoolbox.com/clinical.html
RELATED PROGRAMS
Article - Many with Alzheimer's Do Just Fine
Video - Stress Management for Alzheimer's Disease Caregivers
Transcript
Article - Stress Management for Alzheimer's Disease Caregivers