Paint Party for Family Caregivers Allows for Artful Expression

Fast Facts about Family Caregiving: 

• Family caregivers perform unpaid care valued at about $450 billion a year, helping their loved ones stay at home—and out of costly institutional care, often paid for by Medicaid.
• In every state, the value of this unpaid care is greater than the annual cost of Medicaid for institutional stays, like nursing homes, and services to help people remain at home.

Three organizations dedicated to care and well-being are providing caregivers with an evening of creativity and relaxation.

AARP Georgia, Foundation for Art & Healing and the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art will host a Caregivers’  Paint Party on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Boathouse Community Center. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required at https://aarp.cvent.com/AARPGACaregiverPaintParty or 877-926-8300. 

“Caregivers do what they do out of love, but there is a physical and emotional toll. Research has shown that one-third of caregivers experience depression and social isolation,” said Alice Bennett, AARP Associate State Director for Community Outreach. “With the paint party, AARP and our partners want to let those who care for others know they are not alone.”

The evening’s event includes a short film, an onsite professional art educator to encourage participants with their imaginative works, and opportunities for caregivers to share ideas
and experiences.

A growing body of evidence is affirming that the arts and creativity can have a positive impact on emotions and attitudes, while improving health and wellness. The Foundation for Art and Healing believe the Augusta event can be a launching pad for caregiver events nationwide.

“For generations, people have recognized the power of the arts to not only heal individuals, but also communities,” said Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPH, the foundation’s founder and president.  “The act of putting paint to canvas in a group setting can break down barriers, ease the burden of isolation, and become a shared experience that can help change one’s outlook.”