ABOUT MEMORY CARE ART
The theory that drives the creation of new therapeutic artwork is that Alzheimer’s patients and those suffering from dementia, need memory and tactile stimulation. “That is the impetus behind our therapeutic artwork,” says William Welch, Vice President of ArtLine, Ltd.
ArtLine, Ltd. creates art that helps Alzheimer’s patients interact and recall. Interaction with art pieces encourages recollection, touching and awareness of surroundings while audio pieces coordinate sounds with pictures to encourage long term memory stimulus.
“The original concept came from memory care professionals and interior designers almost 25 years ago by my mother, Kathy Thiel,” says Welch. As providers of residential healthcare, these professionals recognized the special needs of a fast-growing population suffering from many degrees of dementia.
“Armed with my own personal experiences, I approached the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern Wisconsin to learn more. They were helpful and enthusiastic about our art,” says Thiel. Today, ArtLine’s interactive artwork appears in thousands of nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the country.
“Therapeutic artwork gives dementia and Alzheimer’s patients hands-on tactile activity and sensory impression, evoking recollection,” says Thiel.
ArtLine’s interactive artwork continues to evolve. Larger, stand-alone pieces called Life Stations encourage people to engage in familiar hobbies and past time such as gardening, clerical duties, laundry day, handyman projects or art projects including painting and adult coloring projects.
“ArtLine’s work does not stop here,” continues Welch. “Interesting and colorful fabrics are framed and used to help residents way-find to the dining room, activity areas and back to their rooms. "Our mission is to continue to provide new and useful artwork and products that encourage awareness of surroundings and past activities that kindle the mind.”
