Remembering the elderly

Splashes of color decorate the walls in the form of tie-dyed cloths, masks and paper in room four of First United Church, 2420 E. Third Street.\nCans of paint and brushes lay ready in the corner, next to a small, half-finished table. A schedule on the blackboard promises folk dancing, poetry writing and sing-a-longs.\nAs of now, this room sits empty and waiting. But later this afternoon, just like every other Thursday, people in early stages of Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia will enter and bring it to life.\nThey belong to PARTNERS, a creative arts program for those with memory loss. Founded in September, this organization works to socially connect and stimulate the minds of Alzheimer's and dementia patients.\nAccording to the Alzheimer's Association, early stage patients are an emerging group, and many of them are not being served in a way that can be helpful to them.\nPARTNERS was initiated to meet this growing need, because as Program Director Julie Hill said, research suggests that creative activities can "delay or decline the process of the disease."\nHill formerly worked as the activities director for the Bloomington Hospital Adult Day Center for 10 years, before leaving to pursue her master's degree in recreation at IU. But after the daycare transferred to a local nursing home, Hill said it left a void in the community.\n"In the beginning stages, they don't want to go to nursing homes," Hill said. "It is not an appropriate environment because people are being diagnosed earlier and earlier in their lives."\nPARTNERS was started at First United Church, whose congregation provided first-year funding and rooms for the program.\nVolunteer Director Norm Overly said that many of the program's founding members had experience with Alzheimer's disease and dementia with their parents. Because of this, they were also concerned with problems faced by caregivers.\n"They are often stuck at home, providing care every day," said Overly, who cared for his mother and father-in-law when they experienced memory loss. "As the disease progresses, their loved ones can't be left at home."\nPARTNERS offers three-hour classes, two days a week. The program is run completely by volunteers, who each partner with one of the 10 participants to engage in painting, furniture redecorating or other creative arts.\nOverly said volunteers learn to understand the various natures of dementia and how to interact with the participants.\n"The big problem is that getting into projects, it is so easy to step in and do it for them," he said. "Volunteers have to be patient and not expect perfection."\nMike Combs, a former highway construction worker and now self-employed woodworking artisan, began volunteering with PARTNERS in January. He said that he wanted to give something back to the community.\n"I've been pretty blessed," Combs said. "There are people in stages of life where they need something, and it is good for me to be sensitive to their needs."\nCarol Hornung also started volunteering with PARTNERS in January after she saw an advertisement in the local newspaper. Hornung has been a nurse for 30 years, working with behavioral health and geriatric patients.\n"My favorite part of the program is the clients and seeing them respond to different programs," Hornung said.\nBeginning this summer, the Bloomington Area Arts Council at the John Waldron Arts Center will team up with PARTNERS to offer administration support. Alzheimer's and dementia patients will now be able to sign up for classes through the BAAC's course guide.\n"This is a way for us to meet our goals -- art for all," said Development Director Diana Corrigan. "We are partnering with another community group to bring the arts to help people in some way"