Artistic Expression and Its Healing Powers

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By Carla Adamic, Director of Marketing, The Reutlinger Community

Learning, creativity, and self-expression are joys that can be pursued
throughout a lifetime. Although aging may place some limitations on
these pursuits, an assisted living community that provides the
opportunity and guidance for creativity can truly enrich the aging
experience.
Instructional programs in music, dance, poetry, writing, and art give
participants broadened opportunities for socialization with their fellow
residents. Communication increases, and support is shared.
Consider the benefits of a fine arts program, which taps into the innate
human need for creativity and self-expression. Making art can give the
elderly an additional “visual voice” through which to communicate,
especially if they are memory impaired. Watching something grow and
develop brings hope and focus on life. The fundamentals of art – color,
light, shape – are the words of that voice that the senior artist can use to
share the uniqueness of who they are and their abundance of
experiences.
The need for self-expression does not diminish with age. Encouraging
the elderly to share the richness of their lives through art brings insight
and joy to both the artist and to those who love them.
Residents of The Reutlinger participate in artistic expression daily
through the Discover the Artist Within program. Their amazing work
can be seen in a professionally printed calendar. For your copy call
(925) 964-2062. The Reutlinger Community is located at 4000 Camino
Tassajara in Danville.

Awakening Your Inner Spirit

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Many people experience a need for connection with something greater with themselves whether it be religious in nature or simply a sense of connection with the natural world. For some of us, this can be a rewarding, lifelong journey. For others, it can be a way to change our perspective so we can see our best selves. Here are a few ways you can try to awaken your inner spirit.

Guided Meditation – For many of us, meditation can be a way to let the worries of the world pass over us and reengage with our inner selves. This doesn’t have to be religious in nature. Rather it’s simply a way to clear your mind and simply be. Consider doing this with some music or perhaps outside where you can hear the soothing sounds of nature.

Take a Nature Walk – The beauty and scope of nature is limitless. Taking a walk outside, especially in the spring can be glorious. Whether it’s a walk high in the mountains with gorgeous views and crisp air, a walk on the beach, or a simple stroll through the park where you can see the wildflowers bloom, few things are as invigorating as a simple walk outside.

Pray – Whatever your religion, prayer can have a powerful effect on a person’s spirit whether they are looking to simply appreciate life more or connect to something greater. Prayer has been proven to have a powerful positive effect on a person’s outlook and mental health. Psychologists say that prayer reduces the stress of daily life, helps a person’s sense of self-control and even makes them more pleasant to be around.

Listen to Music – Music is a language that can express the inexpressible. The emotional and spiritual effects of music can be profound. This is true of almost any type of music. Happy music can lift us up. Sad music, ironically, can do the same. A scientific study demonstrated that people trying to feel happier while listening to music by Aaron Copland actually works!

To learn more, call us at (925) 648-2800 or visit www.rcjl.org

SEVEN REUTLINGER RESIDENTS’ WORKS FEATURED AT ART WITH ELDERS EXHIBITION

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The 24th AWE Exhibition Reception and Gala Celebration was a wonder-filled day for all 100 resident-artists, their friends, families and caregivers as well as the staff and board of AWE who create this blessed event each year. The exhibit and program took place in the historic Gerald Simon Auditorium (Bing Crosby used to broadcast his White Christmas Show there), at Laguna Honda Hospital in the San Francisco Twin Peaks area.

The residents in the show excitedly discovered their own paintings hung with a beautiful bio and black and white photograph of themselves. As viewers in the large room proceeded to move through the exhibit, the entire show was being projected on the stage visible to all the tables.

Light refreshments were brought to the tables and the celebration continued both before and after the program; each artist’s name was called by their teacher from the podium. Mark Campbell, the executive director dedicated the show to AWE’s founder, Brent Nettle.   Mark inspired us saying that beyond the beauty created and the benefits to the artists, one of the main reasons for this program to exist is for this elder generation to teach all the others generations how to age! They teach us to ignore any cultural negativity, defy the “limiting ways of being” we are taught, and live a completely, glorious life filled with creativity, beauty and achievement-our entire lives!

It is such an honor to work toward this day and then see everyone light up with inspiration, and a recognition and  celebration of the human spirit. This year our Reutlinger party included 41 people!!!!! There is much that goes on behind the scenes to make this happen. Thank you to every single person in Nursing, Vickie in the salon, Dietary, Concierge(s), Activities who contributed and special a thank you to Abdul and Ramiro who delivered us safely, Kim, Jackie, and Sue for taking care of us on the trip.

Thank you to the families of the artists for joining us and making it an especially memorable day, our friends Evelyn Ostreicher, Bob Dematteis, Sybil Marblestone, and Selma Moses, Shonny and Joe Potozkin and last but not least, our honored artists who created such stunning work:

Michie Takashima, Loraine Hornbeck, Maher Salama, Fran Dobin, Rita R. Goldman, Katarina, Kivel, and Rhoda Wasserman.

Betty Rothaus, Artist-In-Residence
bobev bob_loraine fran-_maherjpg fran_deb fran_jackie katarina_fam loraine maher-therese_bet maher_fam rhoda_susan rita-gerry-sue selma_kim shon_bet shonny_joe takashima-fam abdulramiro-evelyn

The Healing Power of Beauty Through Artistic Expression in the Elderly

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Carla Adamic Outside

 

 

 

 

 

By Carla Adamic, The Reultinger Community

Learning, creativity, and self-expression are joys that can be pursued throughout a lifetime. Although aging may place some limitations on these pursuits, an assisted living community that provides the opportunity and guidance for creativity can truly enrich the aging experience.

 

Instructional programs in music, dance, poetry, writing, and art give participants broadened opportunities for socialization with their fellow residents. Communication increases, and support is shared.

JoanBrown

Consider the benefits of a fine arts program, which taps into the innate human need for creativity and self-expression. Making art can give the elderly an additional “visual voice” through which to communicate, especially if they are memory impaired. Watching something grow and develop brings hope and focus on life.  The fundamentals of art – color, light, shape – are the words of that voice that the senior artist can use to share the uniqueness of who they are and their abundance of experiences.

 

The need for self-expression does not diminish with age. Encouraging the elderly to share the richness of their lives through art brings insight and joy to both the artist and to those who love them.

 

We welcome your questions. Call (925)648-2800 or visit www.rcjl.org.

Seven Reutlinger Residents Selected to Compete in 23rd Annual Art With Elders in San Francisco

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Joan Brown is among the seven Reutlinger Community residents chosen for the Art With Elders juried exhibition in San Francisco later this month. (Photo courtesy Reutlinger Community).