White Plains program to offer creative interaction for people with dementia, caregivers

The Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter is offering a new social program for people with dementia and their family caregivers starting in September.

Held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays in White Plains, the AlzWell Social Club will feature creative activities for people in the early and middle stages of dementia. Three separate breakout sessions will be held simultaneously – one for caregivers, one for people with early-stage dementia and one for people with middle-stage dementia.

The program is directed by Debbie Marks Kahn, a board-certified licensed art therapist with more than 30 years of experience working with people with dementia. Kahn described the club having as a warm and accepting environment.

“We are creating a place where everyone is going to feel that they belong. People are going to have friendship, a community where everything is OK and everyone belongs. There is no right or wrong way of doing things. It’s going to be a relaxed atmosphere,” Kahn said. “We’re going to have art, music, dance, all kinds of creative endeavors as well as mentally stimulating activities. We will provide what our clients ask for. I want it to be a caring, kind and fun place.”

Other activities will include creative writing, trivia games, singing and dancing to live music, ice-cream socials, clay art making, choral groups and sing-alongs, guest speakers, discussions of current events and books, light yoga, dance instruction, art projects and conversations as well as stress-relief exercises.

Kahn said the format would be a combination of shared activities and breakout sessions.

“At the beginning of the day, we will meet in the auditorium where we go over what we’ll be doing for the day and say hello to each other. Then we’ll break out for an hour activity, and then back for lunch with music, and then more music afterwards.”

Kahn said the program’s aim is to benefit the participants holistically.

“The goal of this is to help the whole person -- stimulating the mind, the creativity and the spiritual sense,” she said.

Kahn said the activities could also include instruction by participants with dementia who have skills they can teach.

“People with dementia keep their long-term memories, so if someone was an artist or played an instrument, or if they have another talent, let them teach it,” she said, noting that teaching can be healing for people with dementia.

The group will be held on Saturdays, starting Sept. 9. It will meet again Sept.16 and 23, Oct. 7 and 28, Nov. 18 and 25 and Dec. 16, 23, and 30.

Preregistration is required. Prospective participants will be pre-screened by staff members. For more information about the AlzWell Social Club or to sign up for pre-screening, call the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter at 800.272.3900