Unique art project bringing people with dementia together
A new partnership is bringing a splash of colour to the lives of those battling dementia in Simcoe County.
The Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County has joined forces with the MacLaren Art Centre on Creative Spark. The pilot project has seen people living with dementia and their caregivers come together weekly for six weeks to do a different art project each time.
"It's specifically a time where they are able to actually get out, maybe get away from the house, step out into a space that is a safe space," said Mar Lewis, the community art coordinator for the MacLaren Art Centre. "MacLaren has done some training to become a dementia-friendly community supporter in our community."
According to the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County, approximately 11,000 people in Simcoe County are living with dementia.
This pilot program is open to those in the early to mid stages of their diagnosis and their caregivers.
"They can create those social connections," said Jana Douglas, the emotion coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County. "They can make new friendships that are going through the same journey. The care partners can make new friends and know that they are not alone."
Until June 13, the work created throughout the program will be on display until June 13. After that, each program participant can bring their work home with them.
The two community partners are working to secure funding to bring the program, which is offered to participants free of charge, back in the Fall.
"We started week one where they were unsure of who they were, what they were doing to week six where they jump right into that project and their building new friendships," said Douglas. "They are leaving with friendships, and coming out, that's a huge benefit."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Record-breaking N.B. lottery winner kept winning ticket on dresser for nearly a year
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison
Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.