ArtTherapy4Life Tennessee Grant

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.

See the Impact Report:

CLICK HERE

ArtTherapy4Life

Tennessee

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Grant Funded Opportunity for Nursing Home staff
to become Facilitators
of a therapeutic, fine
arts program.

Nursing home residents participating in the ArtTherapy4Life program grant

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."

ArtTherapy4Life program grant participants share their story

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.

Residents look forward to art. It has made them aware that activities can be used to help them get involved and to use their motor skills. CNAs are more involved. Families also enjoy it and are impressed by the program.