The Memory, Aging & Expressive Arts (MAEA) course, which debuted in winter 2014 is back for the winter 2015 term.  Originally funded by the University of Michigan (U-M) Transforming Learning for the Third Century grant, the class continues with support from the U-M Geriatrics Center and the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center (MADC). The lead instructor of the interdisciplinary course is Professor Anne Mondro from the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design and Elaine Reed, Silver Club Elderberry Club Program Co-facilitator, serves as the course coordinator.  Three MADC staff members return as class lecturers, including Dr. Nancy Barbas, Dr. Scott Roberts, and Laura Rice-Oeschger, LMSW.  MADC supported researcher, Beth Spencer, LMSW, will also bring her impressive career and dementia expertise to the classroom as an MAEA lecturer. Lecture topics include the neurology of memory, personhood and wellbeing, psychosocial and social aging, public health and dementia, and expressive arts in healthcare. With feedback from students, faculty, and staff, the class has been improved and enhanced for 2015. One new, exciting feature is a podcast that will capture students’ initial impressions, ideas, and final reflections on the MAEA class. The partnership between students and Silver Club Coffee House members, community members living with cognitive changes, has been increased by four weeks.  The students and Coffee House members will now have six sessions together to discuss course readings and lectures and to be introduced to various forms of art. During another six sessions, students will be partnered with a member to collaborate on various projects that interest them such as painting, photography, music, singing, poetry and writing. Through this creative collaboration, the students and Coffee House members will share experiences, embrace artistic expression, and learn from each other.

To learn more about Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design: http://stamps.umich.edu

To learn more about MADC please visit:  http://alzheimers.med.umich.edu

To learn more about Silver Club Mild Memory Loss Programs Coffee House please visit: http://www.med.umich.edu/geriatrics/community/silverclub.htm