People say that art “speaks” to them. It speaks to their soul in a way words do not. When words fail, a work of art can tell a story, express an emotion, recreate a memory and serve as a vehicle of expression. Art allows for validation of feelings and a way to communicate with each other. Click here to read the story relating to the book cover.

The art activity described in the book uses a variety of media appropriate for frail elderly persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. It taps into the universal language of art in a unique way, elevating the quality of life for people suffering from dementia and allowing them to express thoughts, feelings and emotions. When words escape us, art allows the individuals an additional way to process feelings and express them.

This art method differs from Art Therapy in that it makes no attempt to interpret the art. The artist is asked to “tell me about your art.” Artists are encouraged to give their artwork a title. All descriptive information comes from the artist. The art facilitator’s job is to listen and to validate feelings. The power of this art process relies primarily on a decreased ability of the artist to censor symbols of expression in art and the reality that art expression reflects what is currently going on inside the mind.