“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Creating collaborative partnerships is at the "Heart" of developing meaningful life experiences for residents in New York State skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. The Foundation for Quality Care, Inc., (FQC) the New York State Health Facilities Association (NYSHFA) and the New York State Center for Assisted Living (NYSCAL) holds an annual juried art contest each year. Residents from over 300 member facilities submit artwork to be considered for inclusion in their annual calendar: “Art from the Heart.” Launched in 2005, this statewide event captures residents’ imaginations, memories and talents on canvas.
Cultivating opportunities for richer living offers a different perspective about how we imagine life to be for older people living in communities that provide long-term care services. Engaging in an old interest or awakening a new pursuit is the spark that ignites the human experience. No matter what the physical or cognitive loss, enjoying life is at the core of our essence. Providing an environment that shifts the focus from “assisting” to “empowering” encourages a level of independence at any age and alters our perspective of how we envision older adults living a life with meaning.
Establishing cooperative relationships to support residents’ passions is a key component to this phenomenal success story. FQC, NYSHFA and NYSCAL provide the medium for artistic expression. Member facilities encourage individual participation and residents are the centerpiece of this annual event. Judges include representatives from the New York State Museum and the Sorelle Gallery in Albany. The financial cost: $0.00!! The human benefit: Priceless!!
Combining our resources and capabilities gives the impossible extraordinary potential and creates an atmosphere of innovation that fosters out-of-the box thinking. Our collective efforts, in turn, assure that older adults with continue to feel that they are a vital part of our society.
If you’d like to learn more about this wonderful project, please visit the Foundation for Quality Care website at http://www.thefqc.org/.