We take it for granted: the simple ordered processes of our everyday lives. Getting ourselves dressed in the morning. Putting together a meal. Even something as passive as enjoying a TV program, a movie, or a book.
As simple as these things may seem, they can become all but impossible for any of the almost 6 million North Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
Dementia encompasses an entire suite of signs and symptoms that can affect memory, attention, language, and problem solving.
It is a degenerative disease that can lead to additional mental and behavioural difficulties which profoundly affect a person’s quality of life and those who care for them.
While active research is providing hope for sufferers and their loved ones, there is currently no means of prevention or cure. If you are among those who have watched a loved one slowly lose their ability to function, or even be themselves, you know how tragic and agonizing it can be.
Janet Howse wants to do something for sufferers and caregivers now. After more than 10 years as an artist and recreation therapist who specializes in art programming for those that live with Alzheimer’s and dementia, she has considerable experience and insight to share.
“It is a disease that erases you,” Janet says. “You certainly see human need at its base.”
Knowing that there is only so much that she can do herself, she is seeking to empower others by giving them easy-to-use tools that use art to improve the lives of their clients and loved ones.
Janet has begun a social enterprise called The Work of Art. Through it she has created adaptable art products for caregivers and professionals. These products solve the problem of caregiver’s lack of time, high stress levels and limited art background, all of which are barriers to their assembling and coordinating art activities. Janet explains the effectiveness and the meaning of the clever double-entendre in the name.
“Early on I realized that art is an extremely useful tool for working with folks with dementia,” she says. “You can look at it from its ability to give you room to express yourself, but I actually look at it as much more practical. The actual physical act of making art is the tool for dementia.”
Janet’s realizations have been supported by results. Art has been shown to be a very effective tool in reducing anxiety and minimizing detrimental behaviours. Dementia often leads to disorganized or restless behaviour that can include psychosis, anger, and aggression. Art provides not only a creative outlet but a means to connect with loved ones and caregivers, even to reality itself. Specifically, Janet uses the therapeutic value of painting.
“Painting has the ability to simplify itself down” she explains, “You can be a very complex painter but as your skills change, and as they diminish, painting can be simple. The act of painting is just going back and forth with a brush. That’s painting. If you can do that, if I can get your mind to focus on that, then you can paint.”
But what she has to offer is much more than simply a painting kit. Every aspect of the product she has designed draws on her knowledge and experience: from customizable images chosen for their ability to stimulate long-term memory, non-toxic materials, to a tray designed specifically to eliminate a visual connection with food and minimize the risk of accidental ingestion. Confusing a paint brush with an eating utensil is common difficulty for someone with dementia.
The physical and emotional demands that are placed on caregivers — be they family members or professionals — are tremendous and ongoing. Janet well recognizes these factors and she hopes she can share the best of her experiences along with the challenges of being a caregiver.
“It is not uncommon for me to cry when I would work a shift,” she explains. “And it’s also not uncommon for me to laugh wholeheartedly with great joy and glee. I don’t mind shedding a few tears. It’s kind of nice to have a job that puts you in that position; where you’re close to other people’s emotions, and their sadness, or their challenges and their difficulties — be they caregiver or the individual with dementia.”
Janet has been recognized for her efforts to bring practical solutions to the challenges of dementia. Last year, she brought her idea to the local Bear’s Lair competition for entrepreneurs and The Work of Art won the top prize. The winning prize package included $5,000 in cash and services including free advertising and marketing assistance. This was enough to get the business set up and to design the prototype and materials.
Janet’s efforts represent a growing brand of innovative and publicly beneficial businesses in the social entrepreneurial sector. She operates out of the Hatch centre for social enterprise operated by COIN at 120 Murray Street, Peterborough, within St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church.
Janet has put a tremendous amount of herself, her time, and her own money into this project. Currently she has an Indiegogo campaign underway to raise the necessary funds to produce the first thousand dementia-specific painting kits that will launch her as a sustainable business. Please contribute to her Indiegogo campaign for a more compassionate and more wholelife experience for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in our community and beyond.
You can find The Work of Art online at www.theworkofartvisuals.com, on Facebook www.facebook.com/TheWorkofArtVisuals, and on Twitter @TheWorkofArtVis, or visit Janet at Hatch Ptbo (120 Murray St., Peterborough, 705-743-0238 ext. 203).
The Work of Art – Art for Dementia
All photos courtesy of Janet Howse except where noted
