A recent study about the benefits of art for people with dementia discussed on https://hyperallergic.com/ showed that patients who participated in the study had lower cortisol (our stress hormone) levels and a decrease in Sundowning, which is increased confusion late in the day. 

The article indicated that elevated cortisol levels are often associated with greater cognitive impairment, brain shrinkage, and a more rapid decline in cognitive function. According to the study, normal cortisol levels are usually high upon waking, then decrease during the day and drop significantly at bedtime. But in people living with dementia, this rhythm is disrupted, causing increased frailty, stress, agitation, and decreased cognitive performance. 

The National Gallery of Australia hosted a program similar to the MoMA's "Meet me at the Museum" program here in the states. The researchers monitored 28 participants by taking saliva samples before, during and after the 6 week program to measure cortisol levels and found that their levels were significantly reduced after completion of the program. What is also interesting about this study is that patients were often able to recall the artworks they had viewed and discussed during the program.

An even more compelling feature of the program was that the feedback shared by the participants was very positive with one saying that she felt like herself again and another stating that the program made him feel intelligent again.

Programs like these provide an great resource for people with dementia who oftentimes become very isolated and lonely. As one participant put it "We all know we have the same problem so we are accepting when someone forgets. I feel as though I belong somewhere."

In Baptist Health's AgeWell Center for Senior Health's ENRICH Cognitive Program we host a virtual tour of the museum for our participants. During the session we view famous works of art and discuss what we see and what we think the artists might have been thinking when they created the work. Afterwards we recreate a masterpiece by either coloring a copy of an artwork or creating a collage of an artwork. Plus during each session we do some sort of creative work.

You can read the whole article about the study here: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7831221082426445340#editor/target=post;postID=6913630110662984982