The Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) art-therapy program is helping people living with dementia get in touch with their creative side, the local ABC affiliate in Richmond, Virginia recently reported.

Operating at dozens of sites in Canada and the United States, OMA pairs people with a dementia diagnosis with trained volunteers who help them create handcrafted paintings. According to OMA, volunteers are trained to help participants “rely on imagination instead of memory” and “focus on remaining strengths instead of lost skills.”

One of the participants at the OMA program at Virginia’s Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center is Linda Geoghegan, who attends sessions with her sister, Jane Hastings. Geoghegan is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“She has lost the ability to read. She has lost the ability to write. So, she can’t really do very much,” said Hastings – but she adds that going to the arts center always brings a smile to her face.

OMA sessions have similarly been a bright spot for Peggy Brewington, helping both her and her daughter and care partner, Jane Cummings.

“I’ll never forget it. She said to everybody, ‘I love my art class. I’m just loving it!’ And that was just fantastic,” Cummings said.

Developed by Miami University in Ohio, OMA has been the topic of several research projects, which are available on the organization’s website. According to available research, art therapy can improve the quality of life of participants with dementia, while also improves relationships between those with dementia and those without.

Art therapy can help address FTD symptoms of FTD and improve the quality of life of somebody with a diagnosis. To learn more, watch this AFTD Educational Webinar.

If you’re interested in reading more about the art and creativity of people with dementia, click here to read an article about the Faces of Dementia art exhibit, or click here to read about how an artist with FTD has used art to boost her mental health.