The Second Act:
Arts Are Alive in Senior Living Communities By Ryan Albrechtson “I feel like the arts during the pandemic are what got people through,” said Erin Burke, Director of Life Streams at Saint John’s on the Lake. There is so much to consider when choosing a senior living community. “We build our programming around eight dimensions of wellness,” said Burke. “What we have found is that this helps people live longer and live a better life. We take our art programming and socialization programming very seriously. People want to live here.” The arts play a huge role in the lives of residents at a variety of different senior living communities. Many of these communities have their own unique programming – whether that be through painting, crafts, music, performing, and more. “Art Therapy, I think, is different for every population,” said Shari Brzinski, an Art Therapist for Lutheran Home Senior Living. “At the Lutheran Home, we have goals of offering a creative outlet for our residents to express themselves and connect with each other.
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Intergenerational artwork at the Lutheran Home
