Proud recipient of the Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivng Legacy Award in Creative Expression, Memory, Aging & Expressive Arts (MAEA)  is back for the winter 2017 term. With support from the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center (MADC), U-M Geriatrics Center, and Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, the course encompasses a shared art experience for students and persons living with memory loss. The goals of the course are: to explore the benefits of creativity, develop intergenerational relationships, use the arts to improve one’s quality of life during dementia, and to heighten the students’ awareness and sensitivity toward those experiencing changes in memory.

Professor Anne Mondro continues to lead the course with assistance from Elaine Reed, U-M Mild Memory Loss Elderberry Club Program Co-facilitator. 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 share her 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.

Continuing to partner with U-M Geriatrics Mild Memory Loss Programs, which serves men and women with memory loss that live in and around Ann Arbor, students and community members work collaboratively on an art project. After an introduction to dance, music, writing, and visual art exercises, the students and MAEA community members develop projects based on their interests and enjoyment.

The curriculum this year has placed more emphasis on developing successful collaborations through hands-on exercises that build listening, observation, and communication skills, while continuing to use creativity to initiate and build intergenerational relationships.

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 please visit: http://www.med.umich.edu/geriatrics/community/silverclub.htm