How Our Senior Art Program Works

The first step towards offering your community the Artfully Aging watercolor program is to shop the extensive menu of available projects. Once a selection has been made an online account will need to be created to begin the order process. Included with each ordered project are a couple of items, some of which will be accessed online and some will be shipped directly to the community. As a convenience, communities are offered the option to order the needed supplies through Artfully Aging in which case art supplies will be shipped directly to the community.

Each ordered project comes with a packet of prepared watercolor sheets cut to size with a graphite image imprinted and ready for painting. Packets are sold in quantities of five. Accessible online for each project is a coordinating step by step instructional video which provides topics for story telling and reminiscing relating to the project. Also provided is a printable color sample of the project from which copies can be made to use during the session along with a supply list. Communities have the option to purchase art supplies directly through Artfully Aging or to purchase them independently from the provided supply list.

To help ensure the success of the program in your community Artfully Aging provides two additional training videos for your staff. These are meant to act as “Train the Trainer” videos. One is called, Practical Hands-On Training, which gives an overview of how the watercolor projects work with hands-on watercolor training including tips and techniques for the activity staff. The second video, Implementing the Program, gives an overview touching on various approaches and expectations when working with residents in different levels of care. These videos are accessible to all participating communities and customers.

A word about the program: The main goal is for all participants to have a relaxing and enjoyable experience. There is no right or wrong! The projects can work with every level of care! You just have to adjust your approach and expectations depending on the group. When you are working with Memory Care it is recommended that the staff view the video ahead of time so they know how to implement the project. It is not necessarily recommended that the Memory Care residents follow along with the video, as it is more to help staff learn the project and be able to provide hands on guidance. With regards to Assisted Living and Independent Living residents, staff could watch the video ahead and play it for the residents to follow along while completing a project.