Updated August 9, 2018: Check out the news coverage from 6abc Action News.
https://solvereseniorliving.com/memory-care-residents-paint-wall-mural-part-art-therapy-program/
Hamilton Township, NJ, July 29, 2018:
To celebrate their home and a nearby attraction, Homestead at Hamilton memory care residents on August 4th through August 7th will be putting brush to wall in a colorful creation of Sayen Gardens. Helping promote the enjoyment and cognitive benefits of art for people with dementia, residents will be joined by their families, staff and an art instructor, as well as the community’s assisted living and independent living residents. The mural will be painted in Homestead’s memory care Valeo™ Neighborhood on the first floor. The media is invited, with Monday, August 6th, providing the best feature/photo opportunity.
Completed in late 2017, the $59.1 million Homestead at Hamilton has 96 independent living apartments, 75 assisted living apartments and 24 memory care apartments. The community is managed by Solvere Senior Living, with offices in Princeton, New Jersey, Richmond, Virginia, and St. Petersburg, Florida. The mural painting project is part of Solvere’s signature proprietary wellness philosophy program Valeo and its Create and Compose tenet. Latin for “to thrive,” Valeo focuses specifically on wellness initiatives for those with memory impairments and incorporates components that examine residents’ social, intellectual, spiritual and physical well-being. The program supports residents and families in achieving successful aging goals. Create and Compose capitalizes 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,” said Homestead’s General Manager Andy Fritz. “The mural will help them to relive fond memories and foster their own creative processes. Sayen Gardens were purposefully chosen to be something representative of the area since most of the residents are from this region. We look forward to four days of fun and artistic engagement. We also have art studios on-site to let residents continue their artistic interests anytime they wish.”
The media is invited to attend the mural painting project, which will be held Saturday, August 4th, through Tuesday, August 7th, from 9:30 – 11:30 am and from 1:30 – 3:30 pm, with Monday, August 6th, offering the best feature/photo opportunity. Homestead at Hamilton is located at 2560 Kuser Road, Hamilton Township, NJ 08691. The media should contact Scott McCaskey at Goldman & Associates Public Relations: scott@goldmanandassociates.com or 757-625-2518, ext. 3 to attend the event. The on-site contact is Homestead General Manager Andy Fritz at 609-438-9900 or on his cell at 856-448-5133.
A professional art instructor will be on-site to facilitate the mural. Colleen Koziara is CEO of Beyond Bingo, Inc., and the mural painting is a continuing part of her work as the Corporate Programming Consultant for Solvere Senior Living and its Valeo program. Murals To Remember™ belongs to Beyond Bingo, Inc., and is specifically designed, facilitated and created by and for seniors with the support and assistance of their families and community staff. The program aids in reminiscence, social engagement and the overall health and well-being of seniors challenged with advanced dementia related diseases, specifically for those living in the Valeo Neighborhood.
“Older adults, particularly those with cognitive and memory impairments, receive many personal and rewarding health and quality of life benefits from participating in art, music and other creative avenues,” Fritz said. “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 state-of-the-art, four-story Homestead at Hamilton is located on a 24-acre site in historic Hamilton Township and designed for maximum living space and natural light. Amenities and services include multiple casual and fine dining venues, two art studios, performing arts center, theater, libraries, fitness gym and studio, salon, concierge, transportation and sundry shop. Since opening, the community has created nearly 450 direct and indirect area jobs with an annual payroll in excess of $3 million.
Through its team of professionals in nursing and wellness, finance, operations and marketing, Solvere Senior Living currently manages 14 communities with three under development in eight states, including Florida, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan and Oklahoma.