Creative Expressions uses art therapy

Some paint; others talk. But all of them, for a short time, get away from the grind of being a caregiver.

Interfaith Community Care has adopted the art therapy approach.

Using watercolors, collage, oil paints, music and a variety of art forms, Creative Expressions Caregiver Support Group offers relaxation for those who are caring for loved ones.

"The use of art with caregiver support groups is a new and growing idea," said Regina Thibideau, Creative Expressions leader and facilitator. "Interfaith Community Care is one of the first to recognize this new trend. I think as time goes by, we'll be seeing more attention paid to the use of art therapy for caregivers and for people in general."

Co-sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging, Creative Expressions meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon the last Wednesday of each month at the West Valley Art Museum, 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts in Surprise. Participants are provided the opportunity to explore all types of art through self-directed projects in a safe and nurturing environment. There are no fees, and caregivers are encouraged to take their loved one to one of Interfaith's five adult day centers to receive free respite care while the caregivers meet.

"It's an opportunity to explore one's feelings and utilize a variety of alternate tools to do that rather than using traditional verbal expressions," said Linda Morgan, an Interfaith day center supervisor who assists in Creative Expressions. "I hope that we can help caregivers feel good about themselves, what they're doing and who they are. Art is a powerful tool to do all of that."

Marilyn Ham Schaefer, a participant in Creative Expressions, said she found rest, friendship and her inner artist through the group.

"I enjoy the group a lot," Schaefer said. "We don't talk too much about our problems because it's a time of release and time to enjoy the arts."

Schaefer said she has been sleeping better and is able to relax each morning by working on art projects. Creative Expressions has ignited her love for art, and she hopes to sell some of her paintings some day.

"The group encouraged me and gave me the inspiration to keep doing art," Schaefer said.

"We start with a prayer and then talk about what is going on in our lives," said Jack Daly, principal facilitator of a caregiver support group at the Grace Bible Church in Sun City.

The group meets at the church, 19280 N. 99th Ave., from the fall through the spring and is designed as a way for caregivers to listen and give each other advice and support, Daly said.

"When you have a support group, nothing changes, but what happens is you find you have things in common with anybody doing caregiving," Daly said.

Daly said the Grace Bible Church group is open for anyone in the community, not just church members. The group tends to be small, with two to seven members in attendance for any given meeting.

But the intimacy helps people bond, he said.

Daly said the most common topic among caregivers is the demands on their time by the person they are looking after.

"Impatience, which is part of their illness, is the main thing (we talk about)," Daly said. "We also talk about the different illnesses and the medications they are trying."

The next meeting for the caregivers support group at Grace Bible Church is Oct. 8. For information, call 623-972-6414.

Interfaith Community Care is a non-denominational, not-for-profit, community-supported human services agency providing care services for seniors and disabled adults since 1981. For information on services, call 623-584-4999 or visit www.interfaithcommunitycare.org.