Walking into the meeting room of a community based facility, a designated room for persons with dementia was where I was led to. A group of four older adults in their 80’s sat around a table awaiting for my arrival. This particular group consisted of Japanese and Chinese participants, all living with Alzheimer’s disease. Staff informed me that the upstairs of the facility was for another meeting space of community participants, and that this room was known as the “crazy room.” It was explained that many people do not understand dementia, and perceive it as a stigma; “something gone crazy in the mind.”
I wondered if these four individuals sitting at this table had any sense they were perceived this way.
They all greeted me with a smile and a head nod, and a translator began to talk to them, introducing my presence. One of the men did not look up; his head was down, he frowned and looked miserable. The translator told me his name was Mr. “Y” and he was, “sad all the time.” When asked if they knew why he was depressed she said he was moved from his home in Japan and living with his daughter and her family so they could take better care of him, and the transition was not easy.
Setting up the watercolor paper, paints and brushes, I attempted to start a conversation on the importance of creativity and asked if any of them had painted before. Three nodded that they all had, yet Mr. Y did not respond.
We discussed the artist, Katsushika Hokusai, and the group became engaged in the conversation with differing opinions and sharing which artworks they liked best and least, and why. Three of the participants enthusiastically interacted, offering their opinions, views and happily reminisced. Mr. Y sat at the corner of the table, blankly staring down at the paper and seemed disinterested in anything going on around him.
The translator stated he was always like this in his demeanor, rarely spoke, and they hoped he would paint again. His daughter shared that he was an artist, but had not done anything creative in over fifteen years, and his world was spiraling down.
Sitting next to him, I asked if he had a favorite place he would like to think about and the translator asked him; encouraging him to try. As the group delighted in painting, focused and quiet, Mr. Y slowly picked up the paintbrush, studied the paint pallet and the watercolor paper, and began to create vibrant brushstrokes. Within half an hour, his frown had disappeared and he appeared to be at peace, even breaking a small smile from time to time. When he finished he was asked what he wanted to title his piece, the translator told me it meant, “Japanese sunset.”
The three other participants shared their work and expressed their love of family and being here (at this social facility). Mr. Y listened and nodded when others spoke, yet remained silent. He was hesitant to speak, but kept intently focusing on his painting. As I began to wrap up the supplies, Mr. Y broke his silence and began telling us about his sadness in leaving his country, losing his wife, moving to a new country he wasn’t sure about, and feeling empty inside. The group spoke with him, validating his feelings and offered their words of support and friendship. Mr. Y shared with us his favorite things to do as a child and young man, his family life and work. One of his favorite things to do was to watch the sunset and think of nothing but the beauty of the sky. The group all agreed and a conversation about the beauty of colors was discussed and how most people do not seem to notice as they carry on in their busy lives.
Mr. Y abruptly laughed at the end of the group and raised his hands up saying something I didn’t understand. The group all smiled and laughed and the translator revealed, “He is very happy to paint again, to tell his story and not feel alone.”
It was the first of many sessions with Mr. Y.
Despite foreign language barriers, art is a universal language that may be deeply felt. Images of home are often depicted in the artwork of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease, and to be able to create, share and express their memories, thoughts and feelings, it keeps us connected, despite disease.
It never ceases to amaze me the wonders and beauty of the mind through the power of art.