Partners in the SmART Aging program posed for a photo at the announcement of the initiative.

The implementation of the SmArt Aging Project was not hindered by the pandemic – connecting virtually with rural and remote aging populations has turned out to be a great success.

Spearheaded by Corner Brook's Dr. Erin Smallwood, the SmArt Aging Project is a collaboration of Western Health, Gros Morne Summer Music and Western Regional School of Nursing (WRSON).

The project connects older adults with artists to help them maintain and improve their cognitive fitness.

Twenty-three percent of residents in Western NL are over the age of 65. While aging isn't the only risk factor for dementia, it is the most important. The rising aging population also translates to an increasing number of residents living with dementia. The combination of an aging population and the potential for social isolation in the rural communities in western NL has presented a problem that our program aims to solve. This project aims to provide opportunities for our target population to stay socially connected through participation in arts-based activities and also lessen the risk of developing dementia, maintain cognitive health, promote engagement and fulfillment, and improve overall quality of life.

A multi-faceted approach was designed to ensure the program would provide a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment that would enhance social support and community engagement.

Through attendance in a series of artist-led sessions participants had the opportunity to maintain and build upon cognitive fitness through social engagement and artistic stimulation. This helped to foster a sense of self-worth, independence and overall well-being and assist participants to continue to live within their own homes and participate as valuable, productive members of their community.

"WRSON's main role in the project is to assist with the evaluation of the program," said nurse educator Dawn Pittman, adding that she worked with Western Health's Mariel Parcon to develop evaluation tools. "We have further evaluation activities planned for the conclusion of the classes and will be reviewing the evaluation data in order to summarize results."

Ms. Pittman said working as part of a larger collaborative team has been a great experience. The project was initially meant to offer in-person in-person and virtual art sessions with frail older adults; however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic the project was transitioned into a fully virtual format.

"Everyone has been incredibly adaptive in their re-imagination of the plans to allow the project to go ahead in light of current public health restrictions," said Ms. Pittman.

Prof. Jerry Etienne, chair of Grenfell Campus's theatre program, delivered a virtual session titled "Everybody's got a story." The aim of the session was to make participants aware of "the little things we can notice in people every day that tell us stories about them."

"I also wanted to engage the participants in simple and gentle physical stretches and vocal exercises that will help them to keep limber and active," said Prof. Etienne, adding he was inspired by the idea of enriching the lives of the elderly through theatre and theatre practice.

Meanwhile, Ms. Pittman said she "would love to see therapeutic art incorporated more into all aspects of health care," and that there is a role for nursing students.

"There is definitely opportunity for nursing students to become more involved with helping improve quality of life for clients both physically and mentally by incorporating all forms of art, from music to painting to storytelling into aspects of client care," she said.

The testimonials received were very positive:

Participant testimonials:

Artist testimonials:

For more information about the SmART Aging initiative, contact Amanda Earle-Pennell, Wellness Facilitator, Community Health, Western Health, amandaearle@westernhealth.nl.ca.