Moorings Park’s Opening Minds Through Art program (OMA), utilizes talented and energetic student volunteers to assist memory care residents in creating beautiful art.
The program enables Moorings Park to expand the daily activities of a memory care patient to include creatively expressing themselves – while at the same time building meaningful relationships.
OMA has several main goals including: providing individuals with dementia the opportunity to engage in self-expression, and to breakdown the intergenerational barriers between those with dementia and younger people. The program also brings awareness to the general public on the many untapped abilities of older adults with dementia.
“Moorings Park is extremely proud of the young volunteers who have helped make this program a success,” stated Diana L. Bailey, Vice President of Clinical Services. “Because of our Opening Minds Through Art program, our memory care residents’ lives have been changed for the better.”
The south corridor of The Center for Healthy Living is the ideal location for the temporary art gallery. “It’s a natural gathering place for our residents – and a natural place to showcase the talent of their neighbors,” said Bailey, who added the latest exhibit displays more than 40 pieces of eye-catching art.
The OMA program, implemented in small group sessions at The Chateau and Orchid Terrace, owes much of its success to three individuals who are dedicated to the program –and its mission: Art Instructor, Kim Willis, and Activity Directors, Becky Buerman and Lauren Wagner.
Residents and their guests are invited to tour the artwork at The Center for Healthy Living until Wednesday, May 9, at which time the exhibit will close. However, the public will be able to experience the artwork when it’s displayed in the community art gallery of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office beginning in August and running for three months.
To learn more about Moorings Park visit MooringsPark.org.