The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Art classes for people with Alzheimer’ s bring family together
An online painting class for people living with dementia has created an emotional connection for a Dundee family separated by lockdown.
Joe Boag was inspired to pick up a paintbrush thanks to online sessions run by artist Cara Rooney.
He created a picture featuring Dundee’s famous Law, which now has pride of place in his daughter’s house in Wales.
Joe has Alzheimer’s and hadn’t painted for many years.
Daughter Joanne hasn’t seen her parents for more than a year due to Covid restrictions so receiving the picture in the post was a poignant moment for her.
“It’s lovely and it made me so emotional,” she said.
“I’ve not been able to see my parents because of the lockdown and the painting of the Law is doubly poignant because I miss going up there so much.”
Joanne said Cara’s classes had brought her dad joy and peace during a difficult time.
“They are a godsend for him and also for my mum,” she said.
Cara graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art last year with an honours in illustration.
It was a difficult time for students, with degree shows cancelled and celebrations banned.
But, undeterred, she went to work for Alzheimer Scotland and set up the online classes for service users.
Studies have shown creativity is one of the last things to be affected as Alzheimer’s progresses through the brain.
It can help people express themselves when words are gone.
Cara ran sessions from her home in the Hilltown over Microsoft Teams, initially to two couples and a carer.
“The first sessions started in December so I got each of the participants to pick a place that was special to them,” said Cara.
“I found a snowy picture of each place and drew it on canvas then delivered it to them along with art materials.
“Joe wanted to paint the Law because it was a place that was important to him.
“He used to go up there with his family and always took visitors there because it had a view of the city.”
Cara added: “Joe has dementia and hadn’t painted in a while.
“He had before but didn’t think he could do it anymore.
“He really enjoyed getting back to that and his family were really pleased he was taking it up again.
“When the painting was finished, Doris said they wanted to send it to their daughter in Wales because they hadn’t seen her. Joanne has it on her wall now and it gives her a connection to her dad in Dundee.”
Cara ran a second session with a Scottish theme to mark Burns’ Night in January. A third starting on Tuesday will mark the beginning of spring and celebrate warmer weather and a return to better times.
“It’s all very relaxed and therapeutic,” said Cara.
“People just do it in their kitchens or their living rooms and it was nice in the lead up to Christmas when they were getting their decorations up and I could see their houses changing.
“The people I work with are people who already receive services from Alzheimer Scotland and we just sit and chat and paint. “It’s really nice.” Joanne said she was incredibly grateful to Cara. “My dad has always been really good at drawing and painting,” she said. She added: “He’s struggling a bit now so anything that brings him joy and gives him peace is lovely.” Alzheimer Scotland has also praised Cara’s work. Locality leader Nikki Lorimer said: “I am constantly privileged to witness such significant levels of innovation and creativity shown by our staff. “This group, led by Cara, is no exception.
“I was delighted to support it.”