Opening Minds through Art Across Virginia: A Success Story

Help us celebrate the 176 Certified OMA Facilitators and 93 participating long-term care communities who received training in the OMA (Opening Minds through Art) program!

After three years of offering OMA Facilitator Training through grant funding from DMAS, Virginia is now a national model demonstrating the replicability of a best-practice creative arts program for people living with dementia. Scripps Gerontology — where OMA was designed — considers Art for the Journey an “entrepreneurial partner” in the academic development of best-practice intergenerational art programming. Second only to Ohio where OMA was developed in 2007, Virginia now has the most certified OMA Facilitators at just over 300. Established OMA sites across the state are now receiving awards and gaining media attention for the nation to witness.

At the conclusion of this CMPRP project, the term “OMA” has become ubiquitous in long-term care parlance as a standard for best-practice dementia programming. Activities directors and enrichment staff have been equipped with knowledge, hands-on experience, resources, and inspiration to implement a program that was otherwise, apart from the CMPRP, out-of-reach. Beyond the Skilled Nursing community, Art for the Journey and LeadingAge Virginia’s concentrated marketing for OMA in the aging sector has inspired regional non-profits and community organizations to ask if OMA can benefit their populations of older adults as well.

Among the sites developing innovative OMA programs are low-income housing (i.e. Richmond Aging and Engaging), libraries (i.e. OMA at Central Library in Chester), adult day centers (i.e. Jewish Counsel for the Aging, Granger St. Studios Inc. Senior Centers), arts organizations (i.e. Academy Center in Lynchburg, Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen), and universities (i.e. James Madison University, Randolph-Macon). The effect of this project on Virginia has inspired collaboration to reach as many older adults as possible.

• Reporting nursing homes submitted data that demonstrates over 1,796 residents were engaged in OMA sessions, and 37% of artists experienced an increase in mood during their art session.
• Among volunteers participating in the OMA program, there was an overall 17% observed increase in knowledge about people living with dementia, and an overall 17% observed increase in people feeling confident around people living with dementia.
• After seeing their loved one participate in OMA, some family members reported a change in perception about their loved one, the nursing home, or dementia in general.

OMA continues to be evidence-based. The data received back shows positive outcomes were achieved among resident artists, nursing home staff, volunteers, and family members.

Well done, Virginia!

Thanks to our practicum host sites for the hospitality and commitment to the OMA philosophy:

Birmingham Green – Manassas
Carrington Place – Wytheville
Covenant Woods – Mechanicsville
Lake Prince Woods – Suffolk
Lakewood – Richmond
Our Lady of Peace – Charlottesville
Our Lady of Perpetual Help – Virginia Beach
Our Lady of the Valley – Roanoke
Shalom Gardens – Richmond
Sitter and Barfoot – Richmond
St. Mary’s Woods – Richmond
Vinson Hall Retirement Community – McLean
Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay – Virginia Beach
WindsorMeade – Williamsburg

Congratulations to the 93 participating nursing homes: