This grant-funded project was a huge success with 100 nursing homes across Tennessee participating. No additional funding opportunities are available for this project in Tennessee as the grant ended 8/31/2023.
ArtTherapy4Life
Tennessee
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Grant Funded Opportunity for Nursing Home staff
to become Facilitators
of a therapeutic, fine
arts program.
A Dignity-Promoting Fine Arts Initiative That Can Be Offered
in Individual or Group Settings for
Those in Isolation or Living with Alzheimer’s Disease,
Cognitive, Mental, Developmental or Other Impairments
This initiative for Nursing Homes within the State of Tennessee is a program of the Thriving4Life nonprofit organization. It is offered by
Tennessee Technological University’s Whitson-Hester School of Nursing.
Funding is provided by a CMP grant compliments of
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in partnership with the
Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee State Agency.
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"This program opened my eyes."
Story by: Patricia Venzant
Life Enrichment Coordinator
Kirby Pines Manor - Memphis, TN
"As Kirby Pines Manor reaches the one-year mark from our initial training, I want to share that we have thoroughly enjoyed the ArtTherapy4Life® program. We'll continue to use the program's techniques as learning tools to keep residents engaged and participating through art. This therapeutic program opened my eyes to new and different ways to encourage my residents. It has taught me to listen more intently, since each resident has their own personality and life experiences. It has enhanced trust in our relationships and brought us closer
together. One-on-one conversations have allowed residents to reminisce and share their life journey through art. Residents have experienced an increase in their self-esteem, socialization, self-awareness and motivation, improvement in their cognitive skills, and confidence in themselves. Overall, the residents were able to express their inner thoughts and happy memories in their paintings. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn what art-therapy can do for our current residents and how it can welcome new residents into our care community. Thank you so much. I’ll never forget it!”
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"Perhaps the best way to describe the success of the art therapy program is to directly quote the comments provided by nursing home staff across the state of Alabama in exit interviews regarding program impact for residents in their care."
~ Gayle Boswell, Executive Director
Alzheimer's Education, Research & Services, Inc.
Wonderful! Gives them a sense of identity back, purpose, pride, sense of self-worth. One resident came off both anti-psychotic and pain meds. Became more alert, proud. Did art for her family. Medical director is so impressed that he has volunteered to buy art supplies to enable them to continue the program.
Thank you for making the residents and me (activity director) realize that there’s much quality of life remaining even in residents who are verbally unable to communicate.
I was so amazed at the difference in their behaviors and talents.