On any given weekday, my Creative Engagement colleagues are tapping into the richness of clients’ interests, histories, talents, and strengths. These intentional connections help reduce social isolation and loneliness, renew purpose, increase self-esteem, engage the senses, and spark joy.
What does that look like?
Visiting bedside, reading poetry out loud, smelling the fragrance of fresh flowers, feeling their texture, and sharing what the scents invoke in our memories.
An impromptu visit to the new ice cream shop in town for two scoops of chocolate mint on the way home after the purchasing ingredients to prepare a family meal.
Taking a gently paced afternoon walk through the Frye Art Museum, savoring the latest exhibit. Afterwards, a stop at the café for lattes and dessert to reflect on the art.
Aging Wisdom’s Creative Engagement Program provides one-on-one, personally tailored engagement focused on enhancing quality of life and well-being. Our Creative Engagement Program is a person-centered, evidence-based practice. We use these proven methods because we know how critical it is to stay engaged at every stage of life.
Creative Engagement Visits
Excerpts taken from visit summaries shared with family.
When I picked up your niece, she was ready, sunglasses and sweatshirt on. We zigzagged through city streets, visiting different viewpoints until we found the perfect parking spot at the beach. It was warm so I opened the car windows so we could hear the waves crashing on the beach. We saw swimmers and divers in the water and lots of photographers setting up their tripods to capture sunset shots. We had a lot of laughs talking about people going by and imagining what they might be up to. The sunset was glorious, we felt lucky to be there and witness such beauty. On our way back, she asked that we do it again another time. ~Client living with bipolar disorder & mild cognitive impairment
I had a lovely visit with your mom today. We had a lively chat about the time she saw Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra in Vancouver. She talked about aging, life’s journey, and family. She reminded me, “The most important thing when you leave this earth is your family, not how big your house is or how many cars you have.” Today I brought along a couple of Montessori-themed art projects. She chose watercolor paintings to give to friends. We had a fun, relaxing time painting. When I asked at the end if she enjoyed the art activity, she said, “Yes, I like color!” and said she would like to do it again. Your mom gave her painting to the front desk staff who always give her chocolates. I look forward to seeing her next week! ~Client with advanced dementia
Your dad decided he wanted to go to MoPop (Museum of Pop Culture) and we gathered our stuff and headed to the car. When we got to the museum, we looked at the museum map and started off with the first floor and worked our way up. Your dad remembered a song from Nirvana, “All Apologies,” and we looked up the lyrics. We ended up at the Sound Lab where you could play instruments. We tried drums, guitar, and keyboard. Your dad enjoyed jamming on the drums! We headed back home after that. I reminded him I’ll see him Thursday for another visit. ~Client living with Parkinson’s Disease
I sat with your mom and brought out Bananagrams. We made words, chatted, and laughed as we tried very hard not to write “naughty” words. (See attached picture of our word creation.) We had a great time filing out the Short Mad Libs I had printed about coffee and going to the beach. Your mom shared that when she was raising you and your brother, she cherished those few moments of quiet with a cup of coffee. I also learned your mom can snap her fingers very well, but only with one hand and not the other. She walked me to the elevator, and we said our goodbyes and I told her I would be back tomorrow for another visit. ~Client living with dementia
It was a warm, sunny day so I also offered a walk around Kubota Garden or a museum visit. He opted to walk and as I drove us, he told me about the upcoming pheasant hunting season in Michigan and how the school children would get a week off to go hunting! I asked what they would do on the farm, how they knew when the cold was coming, and he told me the superstition that the curlier the dog’s tails, the colder the weather. Along the way we came across a plant we identified with my app, a Japanese yew, a pond with koi fish, and a red-orange tree that he said, “Knows it’s fall.” There was a lookout view that he wished he had his camera to take a photo. I offered him my phone and he enjoyed taking photos. When we returned, I presented him with books from the library. He was excited to look at them and look forward to hearing about them in our next visit. ~Client living with dementia
Creative Engagement Testimonials
“Oh! I am so glad you are here! I was just thinking ‘today I’m going to have to be bored’ but then you arrived.” ~Client upon arrival of their Creative Engagement Specialist
“Aging Wisdom’s Creative Engagement program helps to alleviate the anxiety often seen in loved ones living from cognitive issues. My own loved one has vascular dementia and is as happy as can be, surely because he is surrounded by caring individuals who help to stimulate his mind.” ~Nephew of Creative Engagement client
“Visits with her Creative Engagement Specialist are the highlight of my mom’s week.” ~Daughter of client
The possibilities are endless. We love to try something new, unexpected, and fun!
Interested in learning how a Creative Engagement Specialist can enrich the day of someone in your care? Click here to schedule a free, get-acquainted call today to explore how we can bring joy.
