Frequently Asked Questions

Artintuit aged care programs address 6 of the 8 Australian Aged Quality Care Standards through safe, inclusive and person-centred programs that improve the overall health and wellbeing of participants. Learn about Artintuit and compliance with The Aged Care Quality Standards compliance page.

No, not at all! With Artintuit, artmaking is accessible for everybody, at any level of cognitive and physical ability. All humans are creative beings, and art is a wonderfully gratifying way to express our inner thoughts and feelings. Each session focusses on the process rather than the end result. JOY is found in the JOurneY, not the destination!

Drawing is a natural process for humans. From infancy, we begin by grabbing a drawing tool and making marks on paper (or kitchen walls!).  For people who can’t express themselves using words and actions, drawing is a wonderfully direct form of self-expression.

While drawing is at the heart of Artintuit, all programs offer a broad variety of materials from crayons to clay and paint to iPads. This allows every person the opportunity to explore artmaking in various forms. Each session includes a curio and always a playlist tailored to the individual’s preferences. This ensures that at least one or all of the hearing, visual, smell or touch senses is stimulated. Multi-sensory activities help stimulate the senses and revive memories, alongside the calming, meditative effects of artmaking.

A person who provides individualised social interaction as a therapeutic tool for people living in aged care. They have diverse backgrounds in drama, visual arts, dance and music, as well as expertise in connecting with older people living with dementia.

To ensure a safe, accessible and compassionate art space, it is crucial for the artist to have training in the understanding of dementia. As a trained creative engagement specialist, with a long career in teaching, provides me with the basic tools of empathy, non-judgement and playfulness – with realistic expectations for the various levels of cognition. My approach is to have fun and not be concerned with producing finished results, which promotes a therapeutic experience when the pressure is taken off! The activities go beyond typical colour-in templates (which are fine things to have as an easy go-to), but these researched and tested activities are uniquely designed and themed to target problem-solving and independent decision-making.

Because all programs are customised for your needs, the best way to learn about pricing is to get in touch <contact page> for a chat – with no obligations, and all questions welcome. I endeavour to work out a program that fits in with your budget whenever possible.

The programs are facilitated with at least one leisure and lifestyle officer in attendance. They are there to assist with the personal care and safety of each resident during the session. The meditative and calming qualities of artmaking, along with meaningful activities that engage, has shown to reduce the levels of agitation and associated behaviours on many occasions, avoiding the need for intervention.

The length of each session varies for your needs and format. To give you an idea, I commonly run 1 hour sessions for aged care facilities, and 2 hour community workshops for seniors. However, day workshops can run for 4 – 5 hours.

You can choose one stand-alone session, or as many as you like! It really depends on your needs, the organisation’s or those of people in your care. I do believe that regular artmaking sessions offered in the extended programs provide the greatest benefit for improving overall health and wellbeing. The longer the program, the better it is to evaluate its effectiveness for assessor approval and best practice.

Artintuit programs can be held in residential care facilities, share housing and day care facilities, as well as in the community: retirement living, men’s sheds, libraries, community centres, museums, galleries and clubs. 

I facilitate all programs, with the assistance of a lifestyle officer/carer to monitor the wellbeing of their client or resident. Overseeing the session allows staff to observe and get inspired by discovering new ways to connect with their people.

Delightfully, no! All set up and clean up is included, meaning your staff are free to focus on the people in their care.

I provide all materials, except for online programs.

Artinuit programs cater for most residential lockdowns, whether it’s an outbreak of gastro, flu or Covid-19. Online delivery is available, along with an exciting option, Glass Canvas, if visitation is allowed from outside the windows of the facility.

Online delivery is available for one-on-one and group sessions, giving people in regional and remote areas the chance to enjoy all the benefits of guided artmaking.

Payment options include Paypal, or electronic funds transfer. Online payment facilities will be available soon!

Hmmm. The sunflower of course! It represents joy, happiness and longevity. It brightens your mood through its vibrant yellow, it nourishes through its edible seeds and it seeks positivity and strength as it turns to follow the sun. What better way to encapsulate the values of Artintuit?