What People Are Saying about ‘Art Is…In’
Words from our Care Partners, Volunteers, and those living with memory loss
CAREGIVERS | FAMILIES
“We love this program! We did it together with my sister and we had so much fun!”
-Shellie, caregiver
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“You’ve brought happiness to my mom”
-Donna, caregiver
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“So grateful for what you are doing. While juggling caregiving, its delightful to receive our package of creative goodies. Its a place where I can ease back to being a friend and daughter” –Yetta, caregiver
“The art kits have been a great way for Jeff to bond with his grandson, daughter, and son-in-law because they work on the activities together! Jeff has really been enjoying the watercolor and always comes back to them every week even if it’s not in the suggested activity for the week”.
-Marilyn, caregiver
“These projects are the most consistent highlight of his week, I tell people about it sometimes and they’re always so interested and so surprised, they’ve never heard of something like this” -Rachel, caregiver
“These weekly art kits bring out a side of him we never get to see, they’re unlike anything else we do”
-Rachel M. caregiver
“We were communicating through the painting. I was surprised! We were like a team. I had completely relaxed and my anxiety completely went away”
-Curtis, caregiver
“”Climb Every Mountain” is from her favorite movie so I pulled out the “Sound of Music” piano score and we sang through a number of songs. Really happy time for everyone….It was delightful surprise to see how creatively she was thinking. THANK YOU for the gift of opening new doors!”
-Candace, caregiver
“I couldn’t wait to open this kit! It brought me back to when I was kid. [Through this experience,] I’ve discovered she is very sensitive about her eye coordination [because] it is failing. [Now,] I’m more careful…I pay attention.”
-Curtis, caregiver
“It’s nice to seem him enjoying it and doing things! I was surprised at how much he was able to do, honestly. I wouldn’t have known unless I let him try!”
-Wanda, caregiver
“It’s been fun. Please accept my appreciation and gratitude. This is unique. Thank you for this opportunity”,
-Lisa, caregiver
“My husband is really enjoying these projects and they are making him laugh more than he has in a long time.”
-Wildret, caregiver
“It allowed her to feel that she could still experience life”
-Allen, caregiver
“…it has been a very enjoyable experience for both of us. My husband is experiencing mild anxiety issues this week and the art project we are working on has captured his interest and has seemed to help to relax him.” -caregiver
“This was our first project together. Enjoyed the different activities. Led to ideas to new projects related to yours. Mom was surprised how smooth the activities went :-)”
-Rosemary, caregiver
”We have found the residents absolutely LOVE these projects. They are new and fresh!”
-Amy, professional caregiver
“They absolutely loved it. They were just thrilled.”
– Sharon, administrator of home healthcare agency
“We have had great conversations”
-Ann, caregiver
“This makes a big difference in her life,” -Meredith, caregiver
“This is a huge blessing”
-Kirsten, caregiver
“We find the kits to be calming”
-Clara, caregiver
“You all are amazing! I’m so happy to talk”
-Dorothy, caregiver
“She always looks forward to the art kits.” -Lori, caregiver
“She is declining, we can see it. But for as long as we can, we want to keep doing it,”
-Scott, caregiver
“We had a good laugh when we were doing the activity!”
-Henderson, caregiver
“It’s just been wonderful”
-Jayne, caregiver
“The kits spurred conversations and smiles,”
-Diane and Sal, participants
“I am excited for my mother to work on the kit! We are looking forward to have a family bonding moment!”
-Claire, caregiver
“I think they’re wonderful! Supports engagement with home caregivers! I love it!”
-Linda, caregiver
“Either I or my children will complete the activities with the patient, and they have an excellent time.” -Joy, caregiver
“It was like a light switch was turned on and now we click better.” -caregiver
“I think they’re wonderful! Supports engagement with home caregivers! I love it!”
-Linda, caregiver
“Either I or my children will complete the activities with the patient, and they have an excellent time.” -Joy, caregiver
“This had a BIG impact, especially during COVID when we did not have other stimulation from outside.”
-caregiver
“She reflected her cheerfulness and happiness; couldn’t stop talking!” -caregiver
“You can tell this is so much more than a mere art project. This program is uniquely captivating and effective because beyond the beautifully and professionally curated art, it’s specifically the curriculum that includes thoughtful and provocative guided questions that truly ‘lit up’ my husband and unlocked his engagement and enthusiasm.” -caregiver
“A good diversion.”
-caregiver
“Helps relieve stress. A calming in communication.” -caregiver
“It lightened our mood,”
-caregiver
“This program has helped me fall in love with my wife all over again,”
-caregiver
“She became much more alive and is so proud of the work she does here.” -caregiver
“YES! Please and THANK YOU! Do not hesitate to call me for more feedback. This program is awesome. We would love to continue with it on any level. Many thanks!”
-caregiver, when asked if they would like to stay in touch for future opportunities
THOSE WITH MEMORY LOSS
“Im a retired surgeon, and I think The University of Chicago is an excellent Hospital for doing this. Everyone else gives you help, a few pills, then lets you go. This means they care.”
-person living with dementia
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“I use these kits to connect with my granddaughter. I cant tell you how fun it is and how much we love it.” -person living with dementia
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“I know I am getting better, I am learning new things every time,” -Karen, person living with dementia
“We do it as a family, at the kitchen table. We just laugh and laugh. What a wonderful way to spend time together we just love it.”
-Anthony, person living with dementia
“This is the best thing ever”, Linda H., -person living with dementia
“We enjoyed all the different mediums — also the questions were fantastic for conversation,” -person living with dementia
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
“I love getting a window into these families’ lives and being a little part of what brightens their day!”
-Stephanie, student volunteer
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“Understanding that this art program is a way for caretakers to just simply spend time with their partner again, absent of any other “to-dos,” is eye opening.”
-Olivia, student volunteer
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“Volunteering for this program has opened my eyes to the creative and meaningful ways that people’s lives can be bettered through art. I look forward to checking in with the caregivers.” -Alinna, volunteer
“It is nice to provide a small service to the community in this intimate setting,”
-Zoa, volunteer
“It’s really amazing to hear how positively this is having an impact on the families involved. It makes me really happy to be part of this!”
-Ella, student volunteer
“I do think it has been a very positive factor on their relationship since she’s said that this art program is one of the few activities they can do together outside of the caregiver-patient relationship…instead they participate as husband and wife.” -Olivia, volunteer
“As a pre-med student interested in neuroscience, I witnessed first-hand how the art seemed to ameliorate their thought process and they way they interacted. This was an awesome experience, and I would love to be more involved,”
-pre-med student volunteer
“This therapeutic model based upon exploring art, provides so much joy for the individuals participating — it opens up avenues for cultivating community, enjoying life and other people’s company, and reflecting on the vibrant memories of their past”
-student volunteer
“I am learning so much through the ‘Art Is…In’ program and connecting with the caregivers/patients,”
-student volunteer
“We quickly learned [mom] had a creative side, an ear for music, and was quite interested in interpreting and critiquing fine art! She now regularly colors and paints without reservation and is excited to share her creations. This gave mom permission to express herself without rules, or rights or wrongs. As a caregiver, the biggest gift was the gift of quality time and discovering something new with her…It was an opportunity to create new experiences in the face of a devastating disease that has rocked our family. I did not expect it…but the weekly projects also became therapeutic for me as well, an outlet that has been so critical to sustaining my ability to be an active and present caretaker. We are looking forward to its continuation!”
Experience Art at Home
Together
Nationally recognized | Award-winning | Professionally curated