Abstract

Creativity stimulates older adults both mentally and emotionally and has numerous cognitive and social benefits. Providing culturally-sensitive strategies for improving memory through creativity, this timely book outlines innovative techniques and gives essential insight into effective clinical work in a world with an increasing number of diverse older adults and incidences of Alzheimer's disease. Amanda Alders Pike clearly explains how to structure sessions and use artistic creativity to improve memory, mood and socialization. She covers everything from how to introduce art materials and techniques, to how to enhance cross-cultural interaction. Graphs, charts, and tables illustrate how artistic creativity can parallel cognitive training to provide optimal benefits to a wide audience of older adults, and accompanying online material is provided for use in sessions and workshops.
This book deals with complex neurological concepts around ageing, cognitive impairment and creativity in a very readable way. The theoretical knowledge Amanda presents from her own research and experience, as well as an overview of current thinking is fascinating. Throughout she shows how information might be practically applied, and makes suggestions of how to use this in therapeutic art sessions with older adults. Rather than a recipe book Amanda's ideas are a springboard, I'm really excited to see where they will take me!
Sarah Crockett, day care officer, activities provider, and author of Activities for Older People in Care Homes: A Handbook for Successful Activity Planning
Amanda Pike has taught internationally on themes related to creative art therapies. She has a Master's degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Nazareth College and a Ph.D. specialising in Art Therapy from Florida State University. Her doctoral research evaluated art therapy as a means of cognitive training and the results demonstrated enhanced cognitive performance among culturally diverse older adults. Currently, Amanda is serving as President of the Florida Art Therapy Association and works as a registered art therapist. She lives in Miami, Florida where she applies her work with clients across the life-span. In addition to clinical work, Amanda provides outcome study consultations and welcomes opportunities for collaboration.
This is the book I've been waiting for. With one fell swoop Dr Amanda Pike has answered all the questions I've been asking for over 20 years while developing art programs for older people and observing the remarkable improvement in quality of life as they become absorbed in creative expression. Dr Pike argues her case lucidly and logically. She explores the scientific evidence in depth without overwhelming the reader. An essential handbook for all art facilitators.
Nancy Tingey, Founder and Coordinator of Painting with Parkinson's, Churchill Fellowship project, 1996 - Art as a Therapy for Parkinson's
Art therapy has often been labelled inaccurately in the health profession as a past-time, “arts and crafts” modality. Amanda Alders Pike's well written and promising book sets the record straight. Improving Memory through Creativity demonstrates how art and science come together, and how creativity is an essential component to neural development. An inspiring book that validates the importance of art, memory and quality of life.
Angel C. Duncan, M.A. MFT, ATR, Neuropsychiatric Research Center of Southwest Florida, and Ambassador for the American Art Therapy Association