"Art for Alzheimer's" gallery at local life care facility supports research

LENOX, Mass. (NEWS10) — According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about six hundred thousand new cases of Alzheimer’s disease are diagnosed in the United States each year. One local community in Berkshire County is finding unique ways to support research. Art is integral to the community at Kimball Farms Lifecare. It’s found on nearly every wall. In the pursuit of supporting the cause, the corridor between independent living and the memory care unit, is forming a new connection. More than two dozen artists donated their work to a week long art sale, and all of the proceeds will support Alzheimer’s research.

“Bring home a beautiful piece of art while you get to support a wonderful, worthy cause really in need of your support” said Kimball Farms events coordinator, Sharon Lazerson. “People from the community, artists, and their friends come into the building so that in itself is enlivening for the residents.”

The gallery collaborates with Berkshire Walk to end Alzheimer’s, and it all began with an idea from retired professor, Virginia O’Leary.

“My life partner was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about five years ago, so for me it’s very personal” said O’Leary. “You can take the professor out of the university, but the desire to share one’s knowledge lives on and I had to know as much as I could. I did an extremely deep dive into what is known about the many forms of the disease, which is what led me to want to do public education. Right now there is no cure, but there is hope.”

O’Leary wants people to know that the experience is uniquely difficult for every person affected by the disease.

“For every person who has dementia, that journey will be different, there’s no one size fits all” O’Leary explained. “Unless you have lived this experience as a care partner or indeed as someone living with dementia, you really don’t know because it is an individual disease. There’s nothing linear about the disease, and those symptoms can literally vary from day to day, from hour to hour and even moment to moment. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

O’Leary said one of the most difficult parts of the caregiving process is the constant change.

“Makes one think, okay, I’ve figured out how to handle this, and then there’s this sea change and you’re back to square one trying to figure out how to handle the next set of symptoms, of changes in your partner and maybe even in your own energy for the task” O’Leary noted.

Some artists in the gallery are residents at the facility. Nadine is a resident and has been an artist since she was twelve. She donated a collection of drawings of her children’s toys.

“I had four children, and in order to entertain them, I would take their toys and draw them and that would keep them quiet” Nadine laughed.

Nadine’s hope with her art is to inspire others. 

“If you love doing it, do it” said Nadine. “It’s that simple.”

For another artist, contributing to the gallery held a personal connection. Organizers say they lost their mother, and husband, to the disease. The art now holds a different meaning for the person who purchased it.

“The painting is very special to me because the artist and I live in the same homeowners community” said Ancramdale resident, Geraldine Kluge. “This is a path that I take my dog for a walk on every day. So every time I look at this path through the woods, I think of my walk with Maggie.”

As the walks to end Alzheimer’s commence across the country, O’Leary wants people to remember the importance of this critical research.

“The fact that we know there are one hundred and thirty five diagnosed cases in Massachusetts suggests that there are probably double that number of people in this state living with some form of the disease who don’t even know” O’Leary commented. “I want to invite everyone who is close to the beautiful Berkshires to come on October 18th, which is this Saturday, and join us in Adams, Massachusetts. The walk is not long. It’s 1.2 miles to the point where they suggest you turn around if you wish. It’s on the rail trail. It is flat, it is paved. And if you want, you can walk all the way to North Adams. But many people don’t want to go quite that far. This is the fourth year, that I’ve been involved in the work and it is so uplifting to be in community with other people who either have been diagnosed in an early stage or who have lost a loved one or are caring for a loved one.”

O’Leary noted that this event is open to everyone, even pets!

“Bring your dogs on leashes, because they are welcome, and we have swag for dogs, little kerchiefs to put around their necks” O’Leary added. “If you’re fond of standard poodles, my standard poodle will be there sporting his kerchief that says, ‘End Alzheimer’s,’ and of course, it’s purple and white.”

For those looking to support the cause you’re invited to view and purchase art at Kimball Farms Lifecare now through October 12th. The Walk to end Alzheimer’s for Berkshire County is on October 18th, and you can find a walk near you on the Alzheimer’s Association website.