We all want to feel productive and capable. Sadly, dementia takes this ability away from us. By supporting the production of the very first 1,000 dementia-specific painting kits, you contribute to a more compassionate, more whole life experience for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

The big hurdle for our start-up is producing the first 1,000 kits. Once the first run has been produced, costs will go down, and the business will be sustainable, but to make my vision a reality, we need your support.

Given the chance, we CAN improve the quality of life of people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Please support this campaign as generously as you’re able, and share it widely with people who matter to you.

ABOUT JANET

Hi, I’m Janet Howse, owner of The Work of Art. I am an artist and Recreation Therapist, specializing in art programming for dementia.

In 2003 I took a job running art programs on the secure dementia unit in a Long Term Care facility. At the time, I knew little about dementia and had never worked with seniors. I was drawn to the job because of the art aspect but what I discovered was a deep love, passion and commitment to folks living with this debilitating disease. 

For the past 10 years I have worked as a Recreational Therapist running art studios, one-on-one sessions and professional training for people with dementia and their caregivers. I have seen first-hand what an incredible tool art is for people living with dementia. 

Any support you can offer will help bring increased engagement and satisfaction to our elders. Thank you!

ABOUT THE WORK OF ART

We’re a start-up company making art products for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Caring for someone with dementia is very stressful and time consuming.  Caregivers struggle to find a way to connect. High quality, age appropriate activities for folks with dementia takes planning, time and knowledge.

Art is a non-verbal, physical act that can by-pass the limitations caused by this severe disease. It is a tool for reducing anxiety, managing behaviors and giving caregivers a way into their world. 

Our kits provide memory stimulation - a means to exercise the mind, and the opportunity to make something with your own two hands. It does not matter if the duck is orange or if the whole picture is grey. The value is in the doing. 

 ABOUT DEMENTIA

There are currently almost 6 million people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in North America. This number is expected to double by 2030. There are over 15 million unpaid caregivers and thousands of professionals struggling to meet their needs. We want the tool of art to be accessible to every single one of these people.

When folks with dementia engage in creative activities like the Work of Art, we see negative behaviors and anxiety decrease while the ability to concentrate in that moment can improve. 

RESOURCES

Art therapy may be beneficial for reducing stress--related behaviours in people with dementia--case report.Mimica N, Kalinić D. (2011)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21448117

The MoMA’s Alzheimer’s Project: Making Art Accessible to people with dementia.

http://www.moma.org/meetme/

WHAT’S IN THE KIT?

Designed with over a decade of knowledge and experience working in recreational therapy, each kit includes:

·  Ten paintable images chosen for their ability to engage long-term memory. These hand-drawn images are derived from everyday moments of life, currently sourced from the mid 1930s to late 1950s (this will change as the demographic ages). You choose the subject matter(s) in your kit. 

Over time, it becomes harder and harder to connect with the individual. Long-term memory is the greatest strength we have to work with.

·  A specially designed tray which organizes the activity. This will minimize distraction and maximize success, with paint jars and water dish held securely in the tray.

·  Two sizes of brushes to accommodate fine and broad strokes. Our artist-grade brushes are high quality tools that give good results.

·  Non-toxic acrylic paint.  The bold colors and smooth texture are easy to use and produce satisfying results.

·  A ‘tips and tricks’ manual full of the insights that I have amassed over the past ten years. This manual is designed for the home caregiver and professional alike.­­­­­­

All of these elements allow the user to be creative, exercise choice, reduce anxiety, and focus on a manageable task they can do with their own two hands.

WHY THIS KIT IS DIFFERENT

Our all-inclusive painting kits can be used by anyone, but are specifically designed to help bypass the limitations experienced by someone with dementia.

SAFE. For a person with dementia, it’s easy to confuse a paintbrush with an eating utensil, and accidentally ingest paint. Our trays are designed to minimize this risk. The paint jars and water dish sit securely in the tray, eliminating a visual connection with food. The kit is larger than a standard plate. Our paints are completely non-toxic.

QUALITY MATERIALS. Our brushes are high quality. We can't stress enough how important this is. The last thing someone with cognitive (and possibly physical) deficits needs is a crappy tool. You need a brush that can hold a point and hold paint.

THE RIGHT IMAGES. Each kit comes with a themed pack of paintable images. We designed the images using subjects that would be familiar to people’s long-term memory and experiences. They can be painted and also used as conversation starters. We continually develop new images.

CONTROL. As this disease progresses, choice can become paralyzing. Our kit gives you the ability to control the level of choice through its clean, clear layout, the ability to control the number of colors offered, and our simple yet age-appropriate images.

Thank you so much for your interest. Any support you can offer will help bring increased engagement and satisfaction to our elders.

You can also visit us on facebook, twitter or go to our website. 

theworkofartvisuals.com.

The big hurdle for our start-up is producing the first 1,000 kits. Once the first run has been produced, costs will go down and the business will become sustainable, but to make our vision a reality, we need your support.

Credits:  Music by Kevin Mcleod http://incompetech.com/

Video by Sean Bruce

Special mention to The Bear's Lair for all their incredible mentoring and assitance