The Power of Art on Display at Catholic Healthcare Gertrude Abbott Aged Care, Surry Hills

Many of the residents at Catholic Healthcare Gertrude Abbott Aged Care and The Sister Anne Court in Surry Hills don’t consider themselves artists, some might even say they are “terrible” at painting. But the weekly Art Based Cognitive Therapy (ABCT) sessions being run at the homes have become so popular almost all residents are participating in and enjoying the physical, visual, emotional, mental and social benefits of creating their own works of art.

The results of these sessions were recently on display at Catholic Healthcare’s first-ever Inner Sydney residential art exhibition and auction. Artworks were sold to the highest bidder, raising funds for a much-needed refurbishment of Gertrude Abbott’s rooftop area.

Therapist Viktoria Maksymova has been running ABCT sessions at Gertrude Abbott since 2013.

“Art improves an older person’s well-being, slowing down cognitive decline,” says Viktoria. “When you create an artwork you simultaneously engage almost all parts of your brain. It’s like an orchestra where memories, emotions, motor and visual processes all work together to create something wonderful, something new to keep your mind stronger for longer.”

Ruth Wernick, Residential Manager of Gertrude Abbott and The Sister Anne Court can see the benefits in the disposition of the residents and increased friendships.

“Over the years the sessions have taken on a very social and interactive feel,” says Ruth. “Residents reminisce and share memories, and they sing together. Family members have also joined in and it is a great way to spend time with a loved one who has decreased cognition.

“When it was suggested we have an art exhibition to show off their work, all residents jumped at the chance and spent many hours creating the works on display. As their confidence has grown, we don’t hear ‘I can’t do it’ anymore. They all feel like artists.”

An online auction of some larger works is currently live – visit the 32 Auctions website for more details on each artwork and to place a bid.

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Pictured: Viktoria Maksymova and Ruth Wernick in front of one of the resident paintings