Preserving Memories

"Creating experiences to intiate storytelling, promote well-being through the power of art & reminiscence, & preserve cherished memories in the lives of older adults."

On the evening of March 28th, 2014 our Hartford Fellowship cohort group hosted an exhibit in Posvar Hall highlighting the works of Loving Hearts participants from Community LIFE East End's Loving Hearts program. Loving Hearts participants are a collective of older adults who have varying levels of Dementia. They worked with us on a Memory Box project where we were using Art and Reminiscence Therapy.

The our project theme was based on the imagery of harvesting and canning. We found the imagery to be something in which older adults would connect with and described what we were seeking to do through utilizing art and reminiscence therapy: preserving cherished memories. The pieces the Loving Hearts participants created were bright and beautiful.

The theme of our exhibit built on the project theme where we created a harvest farm party experience. Our educational pieces were woven throughout the exhibit, utilizing canning jars, creative elements (e.g., jewelry, letters from loved ones, and photos) and educational material about Mild Cognitive Impairment, Dementia, the different types of Alzheimer's, Reminiscence Therapy, how to make memory boxes, and support for caregivers.

Our hope is this experience and material will be used by anyone who is working with older adults, regardless of their cognitive status. We are pleased to share our educational brochure and memory box tip sheet with professionals and caregivers alike.

Many thanks to everyone who assisted us in creating the project and joined us for the exhibit!

+++++++

We are very grateful for everyone who came out to join us in Posvar Hall. We would like to express our THANKS by highlighting our partners, donors and supporters:

::Our Partners::
Community LIFE East End Staff & Loving Hearts Participants
University of Pittsburgh | University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education

::Donors::
Ashley Biega
School of Social Work | Student Executive Council
Phil & Ginger Swansinger
Woodward's Orchard

::Supporters::
Dr. Ray Engel, Associate Professor
Melissa Brusoski, Pitt Hartford Coordinator
Amy DeGurian, Field Coordinator
Elizabeth Mulvaney, Lecturer
Our Hartford Cohorts (2013-2015)
Our Families & Friends

"For a person with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, the sense of touch can trigger memories in a way that other forms of communication cannot."

Creating a Memory Box For a person with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, the sense of touch can trigger memories in a way that other forms of communication cannot.

We spent our final day with the participants and their creations look amazing! We also started preparing for our exhibit and are looking forward to sharing what these individuals have created!