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ELCA senior living sparks imaginations


oe Davis, who has Alzheimer’s, was initially opposed to adult day services in Salisbury, N.C. His neurologist told his wife and care- giver, Mary, to try “Art for the Soul,”


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“Art for the Soul is about the pro- cess of creating, not the product,” said Barbara Garwood, executive director of ELCA-affiliated Abun- dant Living. It’s perfect for people with memory issues since “a posi- tive emotion stays with you longer than the memory of what you did,” she added.


The play Finding Penelope demonstrates the cohe- sive effects of improv at Luther Manor in Wauwatosa, Wis.


By Elizabeth Hunter


the creative engagement program at Abundant Living Adult Day Ser- vices. So in 2011, Joe began taking photography, painting, sculpture and creative writing classes.


Beauty. Friends. Happiness. Security. All right here in your new backyard.


It’s just amazing how many wonderful things can come your way when you make the move to Trinity Oaks. Like a spacious, maintenance-free cottage in a neighborhood so naturally beautiful, you hate


to leave it. And then there’s all of the new friendships you’ll make. Not to mention the delicious meals, state of the art fitness center, and indoor pool. And, most importantly, peace of mind. Join us for a visit and lunch soon. To learn more, call (704) 633-1002 or (800) 610-0783.


728 Klumac Road | Salisbury, NC 28144 | trinityoaks.net 36 The Lutheran • www.thelutheran.org


“Joe loves it,” Mary agreed, proudly describing his artwork in their kitchen and even at a local gallery. “And for me it’s a relief. It gives me three days when I don’t have to worry if he’s OK, if he’s going to fall or what he wants. I know he’s happy and doing new things.”


Funded by small grants from


national and local sources, most courses involve six 90-minute ses- sions. During the course, staff learn how to sustain the program and, in turn, teach artists how to work with people who have dementia. “We tell artists to meet people where they are, to let them do their own work, and to not try to change what people think of as reality … even if they think it is 1942,” Garwood said. Photography instructor Sean Meyers said, “Not once did any stu- dent not show an interest in what we were learning. … Everyone, regard- less of age or neurological incapac- ity, wants to learn and ... create.” And surprises abound. Listening to audio recordings of her husband’s creative writing group, Mary heard Joe speak about being shy. “He said, ‘I had trouble talking to women, but when I saw the woman who’d be my wife, I thought: I think I would like talking to her,’ ” Mary said. “What a memory ... when he has so much trouble thinking. That’s what this program gave me. … What a gift.”


Improv too


How do you do memory-based work with people who have no memory?


UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MILWAUKEE


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