INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HUMANIZING HEALTH CARE

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Fairmont Chateau Laurier , 1 Rideau St , Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7

Rethinking Dementia: The Role of Music and Art in Enhancing the Lives of Patients and Residents in Care Tracy Luciani, arts and wellness therapist, Bruyère Continuing Care Renate Ysseldyk, Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University Angela Paric, Carleton University Nigel E. Harris, CEO Musical Wellness

The presenters will share and show, through photographs, their journey of creating art with older adults living with dementia, in long-term care and complex continuing care settings. Also discussed will be the role of the arts in enhancing quality of life, as a form of communication when words often fail and as an important way of nurturing creative expression among older adults. Through a 'live' demonstration, conference-goers will experience first hand the uplifting energy and wellness generated by a therapeutic drumming circle made up of seniors with early dementia, and will be invited to participate in it by playing rhythm instruments supplied at their tables!