Right Brain: Oriented to Self

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Art Therapy

Background:

• Medical education emphasizes a biomedical lens, which can be impersonal in clinical practice.
• The mental status examination (MSE) assesses orientation but may overlook individual experiences.
• Alzheimer disease presents challenges in maintaining orientation to person, place, time, and situation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the tension between the impersonal nature of the MSE and the lived experiences of an individual with Alzheimer disease.
• To investigate the potential of art as a tool to elicit personal memories and moments of clarity in dementia patients.
• To highlight the value of personalized, non-clinical approaches in understanding individuals with cognitive decline.

Main Methods:

• A narrative case study approach was used, focusing on interactions with a grandmother with Alzheimer disease.
• Art, specifically paintings, was utilized as a stimulus during a visit.
• Observations of the patient's responses to visual art were recorded, contrasting with standard orientation assessments.

Main Results:

• Art interventions, such as showing paintings, prompted vivid personal memories and moments of lucidity.
• The patient was able to recall specific past experiences, such as living in New York City during the 1940s.
• These moments of clarity offered a glimpse beyond the limitations of standard orientation assessments, revealing the individual's rich inner life.

Conclusions:

• Art can serve as a powerful, personalized tool to connect with individuals with Alzheimer disease, transcending the limitations of the MSE.
• Evoking personal narratives through art can provide valuable insights into the patient's identity and lived history.
• Integrating creative and personalized methods alongside clinical assessments may enhance the holistic care of individuals with dementia.