Beyond Words: Using Art to Communicate with Loved Ones Living with Dementia
Introduction
For people living with dementia and their family and friends, words can sometimes fall short. As verbal communication changes, visual art offers a profound alternative. Through colors, shapes, and textures, art can spark memories, emotions, and connections that transcend language abilities.
By engaging in creative activities and using and observing non-verbal cues, family and friends can support meaningful interactions and deepen their relationships.
How Art Transcends Verbal Barriers
Visual art is inherently expressive, offering individuals with dementia a way to communicate when words become elusive. Studies suggest that art engagement stimulates different regions of the brain, encouraging emotional expression and reducing feelings of frustration or isolation (Cowl & Gaugler, 2014).
Dr. Sarah Johnson, a certified art therapist, explains, “Art becomes a voice when words fail. It offers an avenue for self-expression and allows emotions to surface without the pressure of verbal conversation.”
Art-Based Activities for Connection
Incorporating art into daily routines doesn’t require formal training. Simple activities can offer moments of joy and connection. Here are a few examples:
- Painting Together: Provide watercolors or acrylics and create side by side. Focus on the process rather than the outcome. Use colour and line choices to capture feelings, and enjoy the play inherent in painting.
- Collage Making: Using magazines or photos, create a memory collage that evokes past experiences. Support changing abilities by providing pre-cut shapes, or allow your loved one to ‘direct’ the collage-making but pointing, while you handle things like cutting and applying glue.
- Clay Sculpting: The tactile experience of shaping clay can be grounding and therapeutic. There are many different materials available including food-safe recipes you can make at home.
- Art Appreciation: Visit a local gallery or view art books at home. Encourage your loved one to describe how the artwork makes them feel, ask them questions about what they notice, or whether they would like to see an artwork like that in their home.
- Coloring: Provide adult coloring books with large, simple designs to ease stress and encourage creativity.
Understanding Non-Verbal Cues
Family and friends can strengthen their connection by observing and responding to non-verbal cues during art activities. Body language, facial expressions, and gestures often reveal emotional responses. Here are some signs to look for:
- Smiling or Laughing: Indicates enjoyment and engagement, though as the expression of mood and emotions changes, the lack of smiling doesn’t necessarily mean they are not enjoying themselves.
- Focused Staring or Repeated Touching: Suggests fascination or emotional connection with the artwork. Signs of engagement may be very clear, but they can also be more subtle.
- Tears or Frowns: May signal the recall of a difficult memory; offer reassurance and validate their emotions, but remember that emotional signals like this may not be related to the art.
- Gestures and Pointing: Often a way to express preferences or feelings about the art. Encouraging your loved one to point to things they are interested in can further conversation.
Dr. Johnson adds, “Even a simple gaze or a squeeze of the hand can speak volumes. Art creates opportunities for presence and emotional exchange.”
Personal Stories of Artful Communication
Jean, whose mother lives with mid-stage dementia, recalls how art transformed their relationship. During a collage-making session, her mother selected images of gardens and flowers, reminiscent of her past hobby.
“She couldn’t say the words, but the images she chose told the story,” Jean shares. “It was like we were having a conversation without speaking.”
Similarly, at the Art Gallery of Hamilton’s Artful Moments program, participants are encouraged to share their thoughts about displayed artwork. One caregiver noted how her husband, who had become largely non-verbal, smiled and pointed excitedly at a vibrant painting, his joy palpable.
Practical Tips for Caregivers
To create a successful and enjoyable art experience, consider the following tips:
- Provide Choice: Offer various materials and let your loved one choose what appeals to them. But be sure not to overwhelm them with too many choices at once.
- Create a Comfortable Space: Ensure adequate lighting and a clutter-free table for ease of movement. Find comfortable seating, and reduce noise and distractions.
- Embrace Flexibility: Allow the session to flow naturally without expectations for a finished product. Have a plan in mind but don’t be afraid to go another way if it seems to work better.
- Engage Through Questions: Ask open-ended questions like, “What colors do you like?” or “How does this make you feel?”
- Celebrate Expression: Focus on the emotional connection rather than technical skill.
Conclusion: The Art of Presence
Art is more than an activity—it’s a bridge to connection, joy, and understanding. Through creative expression, people with dementia and their family and friends can share meaningful moments, even when spoken language abilities have changed. As dementia progresses, art continues to offer a universal language of emotion and memory.
So pick up a brush, visit a gallery, or simply explore colors together. You may find that beyond words, there is a world of connection waiting to be uncovered.
References
We love research and always try to leverage it to help us share knowledge. See below for our recently used references.
- Cowl, A.L., & Gaugler, J.E. (2014). Efficacy of creative arts therapy in reducing anxiety and depression in dementia patients. Aging & Mental Health, 18(2), 154-162.
- Johnson, S. (2022). Interview on art therapy and its benefits for dementia care.
- Art Gallery of Hamilton. (n.d.). Artful Moments Program. Retrieved from Art Gallery of Hamilton Website.
Don’t forget to view additional educational programs through the Art Gallery of Hamilton, by clicking HERE.
