WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WVEC) -- Memory care residents and local children came together to create a beautiful mural of a local garden motif.
At the Berkeley Oaks memory care community on Saturday, old and young worked together to paint a colorful creation.
"We are purposefully creating the mural of something representative of the area since most of the residents are from this region," said Leslie Jones, General Manager of Berkeley Oaks. "It is another way we acknowledge and honor the legacy of each of the residents by assisting them to create something reminiscent of who they are and what is familiar to them."
The purpose of the intergenerational event is to help promote the enjoyment and benefits of art for people with dementia.
The mural is a pilot project at Berkeley Oaks and part of the Valeo Create and Compose Program. The Valeo, "to thrive," program focuses on wellness initiatives for those with memory impairments. They capitalize on the therapeutic benefits that art and music offer.
"Art is a motivational and enjoyable experience that draws participants' focus away from daily concerns and takes them on a journey of self-expression," Jones said. "It helps them to relive fond memories and fosters their own creative processes. We are looking to having fun and artistic engagement."
