Engaging the creative spirit.
We provide opportunities for residents to use music, art and storytelling as creative outlets in our memory care programming. These endeavors allow residents to express themselves, interact with others and exercise different cognitive functions while experiencing a multitude of benefits.
Music Therapy
Music is a near-universal language. Our Harmony program includes both individualized and group approaches to the enjoyment and benefits of music. We create customized playlists for residents to use when they prefer to enjoy music on their own, and we employ the power and energy of hand drums, bells and singing for our lively group sessions. The Harmony program is offered to help promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, enhance memory, and provide unique opportunities for communication and interaction.
Therapeutic Art
This program puts a paintbrush in the hands of residents who have Alzheimer’s or other memory impairment – with amazing results. Residents who have struggled with even simple tasks of everyday living have astounded all of us with their creative spirits and wonderful creations. Through the creativity that is unlocked using colors and patterns, residents are able to speak to us with incredible beauty and grace – proving that a picture is indeed worth a thousand words.
Storytelling
Telling stories is an age-old tradition. At The Birches, we engage residents who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory loss in creating entertaining stories, often drawing on personal experiences and memories. Residents gather in small groups and take turns describing a picture – telling a facilitator what they see and what they imagine is happening in the picture. This combines reminiscing with creativity to develop a unique story that is written down and shared with the entire community. Words and pictures are combined to present the completed tale.
Example: A Day at the Park
It is a lovely day at the park. There was so much to do. My sisters and I had fun swinging on the swings and seeing how high each of us could go. But our favorite part was going down the slide together. We took turns going forwards and backwards, then we all decided to go down together in line with our arms out. It took us a few tries, but we finally did it perfectly.
