Episode 16:10 Michelle Olson on the healing power of creative art therapy and immersive sensory experiences

Nature-based art therapist and founder and executive director of Evergreen Minds runs community programs for communities, senior living, and healthcare professionals.

About Michelle

Dr. Michelle Olson is a lover of the outdoors and mindful and body-full practices.  She is a social gerontologist, a licensed, board-certified creative arts therapist, a certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional, Certified Activity Consultant with a specialization in Memory Care and she is also a Certified Forest Therapy Guide.  Michelle teaches about mental health and social issues in aging including ageism at Montana State University.

During the pandemic, Dr. Olson founded a 501(c)(3) charitable organization called Evergreen Minds, Inc. which aims to reframe stigmas associated with dementia by connecting people in and outside of senior living who are living with dementia with Vassar College students and members of all ages in the Hudson Valley and New York City. This is done through a wide variety of meaningful dementia-inclusive experiences in and with nature and expressive arts.

Key Takeaways

• Creative arts therapies like visual arts, music, drama, and dance are valuable approaches for helping people living with dementia amidst changes in verbal communication. People with dementia rarely have opportunities to express their emotions and receive validation.
• Spending time in nature has physical, mental, and cognitive health benefits. Natural elements bring people together and provide opportunities for deeper connections with the earth, healing, and expression.
• The most common barriers that keep older adults from getting outside, particularly in senior living, are staffing challenges, safety concerns and temperature. Many senior living communities are not structured for residents to get outside. There is a fear of taking risks and team members are not even supported.
• Time in nature makes us less depressed and anxious and more empathic, creative and grateful. Nature gives us what we need in that moment.
• Ageism and ableism are at the systemic root of issues in senior living and home care Segregating people from the rest of society eliminates daily opportunities for intergenerational connections.