ARTreach pilots new programs supporting elder care
Art and music enriches the atmosphere and improves attitude
ARTreach is responding to the needs of a growing population of senior citizens and is currently developing new programs for medical care patients and individuals with Alzheimer’s. A pilot program at Kissito Healthcare Katy was initiated September 14 and concluded November 7th. The objective of the pilot was to demonstrate the impact art and music could have a mental health and long term care.
The Kissito Health Care ARTreach pilot measured significant improvements in behavior and other mental health indicators. The indicators were established at the start of a pilot to identify reductions in medications, fewer falls, improvements in behavior, including decreases in verbal aggressiveness and increased social interaction.
The ARTreach Program combined live music and dance motions with visual art projects on a weekly basis to stimulate a creative process. “This was a creative collaboration, we were looking for improvements in our resident’s mental health and outlook, says Jane Davis, Executive Director at Kissito Healthcare Katy “The program was enriching and the pilot successfully marked a significant reduction in the number of incidents related to verbal aggression and frustration exhibited by the sample group we selected to participate in the 8 week pilot.
ARTreach evaluates program content and delivery to determine best practices. Which aspects or discipline has the highest positive impact? Is it a specific tune, a particular color, a certain action or motion? The pilots take into account there is a technique related to a skilled artist’s delivery, and a combination of several art disciplines that act like a switch turning on the light that connects to the creative process. The program also supports staff development by exposing activity leaders and direct care staff to engaging new and creative art practices that assist in long term care.
This ARTreach pilot and others initiated this year are made possible in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts and new TCA Arts Respond Grants supporting Health and Human Services. The ARTreach website hosts archives that feature over five years of pilots and programs with best teaching practices designed for elder care, juveniles in detention, children at risk and other special needs populations. www.artreachonline.org
