Instead of feeling like I was delivering something helpful, I was beginning to feel like I was the agent of doom wherever I went….. By Max Wallack Alzheimer’s Reading Room I was very happy to read today’s article in the Cape Cod Times, Art Stimulates Conversation With Alzheimer’s Patients. Last year, the Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod and the Islands began a program using art to trigger memories. Suzanne Faith, the director of client services at the organization said, “Often we store information in our brains as pictures. So when somebody sees a visual image, the image can stimulate the mind to open the door to memory rather than words.” Ms. Faith was inspired to start this program after reading about Dr. Zeisel, the president of Heathstone Alzheimer’s Family Foundation. Dr. Zeisel had collaborated with the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and he had begun a program there for people with dementia. This program was so well received that MetLife Foundation awarded it a grant of $450,000 to expand nationwide. (I heard Dr. Zeisel speak. He is committed to helping Alzheimer’s patients. His passion is contagious to his audience.) Ms. Faith goes on to say that there are 8,500 diagnosed dementia patients in her area. Fortunately, there are also many artists in that area.

Original Source of Art on Cape Cod and the Day I Delivered Puzzles