CARE: Creative Aging Respite Encounters

The CARE: Creative Aging Respite Encounters program will respond to the needs of the Casa Grande community by offering a much-needed creative program that benefits older adults with dementia, adults with IDD, and their caregivers. Caregivers, who often experience high levels of stress and isolation, will find a supportive, creative and engaging space to recharge through their participation in the creative art sessions. This respite, paired with the knowledge that their loved ones are also participating in a creative arts experience, help reduce caregiver burnout and improve their overall well-being. Through multi-disciplinary arts and collaborative storytelling, CARE seeks to enhance the quality of life for individuals with dementia, IDD, and their caregivers and provide an opportunity for them to develop connections, reduce social isolation, and manage stress in a meaningful way.   

The CARE program’s theme will center on the rich history of downtown Casa Grande, with a special focus on the people, buildings, and cultural heritage that have shaped the community. ArtMobile is partnering with The Museum of Casa Grande for consultation and to incorporate historical resources such as photos, props, written narratives, and oral histories. These resource materials will serve as a foundation and prompts for the creative programming, allowing the participants, to engage with the local history in creative meaningful ways. Integration of these resources will enrich the creative process and deepen the participants’ connection to their community, providing a sense of belonging, shared history and meaningful interactions and creative engagement.   

Participants will have the opportunity to create a collaborative, multi-disciplinary arts presentation that reflects their personal experiences and the history and culture of rural Casa Grande. At least 10 creative sessions will be held with participants engaging in various activities that allow for flexibility and multiple entry points, ensuring inclusivity and adaptability to individual needs. These sessions will take place at ArtMobile Creative Center and various historic downtown Casa Grande locations, The Museum of Casa Grande, The Neon Sign Park, and The Women’s Club, Paramount Theater, that offer a unique space to inspire creativity, memories and storytelling.  

The program’s structure is designed to allow the participants to engage in multiple ways and join or exit at different stages. Through this process, the participants will weave together their personal narratives and collective history, creating an artistic exhibition that honors both their individual and shared culture. Each 2-hour session will begin with 30 minutes of “Getting to Know Each Other,” allowing participants to socialize and connect over light refreshments. The remaining 1.5 hours the participants will engage in various multi-disciplinary arts, which include visual arts, musical arts, and performing arts, such as image theatre and interpretive movement.