Sunday-Funday! Blog Post by Dr. Warner

Happy Easter Everyone! Dr. Warner has written a great blog post for us today, enjoy!

We all know a family touched by dementia or Alzheimer’s and how many things can change in their lives. A good friend of ours has been affected by a form of dementia and through her experience and that of her family, we have learned about everyday life with this kind of condition. I want my friend to be happy and stay healthy through this. What can be done to slow the progression of the disease? How do you help her to continue having an interesting quality of life, not simply sitting home watching TV or simply just sitting? How can she continue to engage with friends and family?

Participating in the arts is one thing that can help all people as they age. There’s growing recognition that music, painting, drama, storytelling, dance, and other creative pursuits not only can help stimulate children’s brains, but has benefits for those experiencing dementia. Engaging in various art forms can stimulate the brain, encourage social interaction, and in many cases, bring back moments of joy to someone’s life, sometimes slowing the decline that inevitably occurs.

I am proud of my class for choosing to donate this year’s grant of $10,000 to a project that increases the opportunities for older adults (not just those with dementia) to engage in the arts. I am proud of their empathy and their wisdom to bring this issue to the community’s attention. With a growing number of older adults aging in our community, this is our job. As John McFadden of the Fox Valley Memory Project stated, “A flourishing community seeks to honor, value, and include all of its members in a common life. It actively seeks creative improvements in a shared life because it understands that meeting the needs of the most vulnerable and dependent members cannot be separated from its own.”