Several times a year, the south side of The Center for Healthy Living becomes a colorful art gallery, thanks in part to a program which brings generations together.
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 Celeste Lynch, the Director of Wellness at Moorings Park. “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 Lynch, who added the latest exhibit displays more than 55 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 are invited to tour the artwork during The Center for Healthy Living’s regular hours, but keep in mind, all good things must come to an end. The curtain will come down on the current exhibit at the end of Wednesday, May 10th.
