photo credit Culture Bus
Culture Bus is at once a transportation service to arts and cultural events for older adults, and a unique treatment program for early-stage dementia patients. One of many adult day programs offered by CJE SeniorLife, in Chicago, Illinois, Culture Bus provides opportunities for socialization, creative expression, and intellectual stimulation designed to improve the quality of life and slow the effects of degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease for many older adults.
The Culture Bus emerged, in 2002, from an Alzheimer’s support group sponsored by Northwestern University’s Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center. Its participants were seeking more time together and opportunities for intellectual and social engagement. One member of the group suggested using a bus to enable everyone to go downtown together. The Northwestern staff immediately saw the value in this idea, and reached out to CJE, a local leader in adult-day programming, to discuss a partnership.
The two organizations developed a program for early-stage Alzheimer’s patients combining cultural activities, artistic expression, and social interaction to help slow the progress of the disease, while building confidence and providing meaningful experiences. The Culture Bus program is now solely run by CJE, which provides the transportation, and has been successful in growing Culture Bus and in benefitting participants by improving their self-esteem, as well as their interactions with their caregivers.
Participants are 60 years of age and older, and come from all ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. The program is dedicated to acknowledging the individuality, independence, and dignity of each participant. The Culture Bus program meets once a week throughout the year. Half of the sessions are trips to cultural attractions around the greater Chicagoland area. The other half takes place in indoor settings, where participants enjoy hands-on activities in creative arts. The music, drama, dance/movement, and art connect participants to one another and to their own creativity. Each session is planned and led by a trained CJE staff member, who is supported by volunteers.
Depending on the activity, programs run from four to six hours. The program fee is $75.00 per week, which covers all expenses, including entry fees, transportation from a predetermined meeting point, materials, and lunch. Past trips have included a visit to a glass blower’s studio, trips to an African American heritage museum, sessions of Zumba and ballroom dancing in studios, and classes at a yoga/meditation center. When the group is not on tours, activities focus on creativity and self-expression, and have included sculpting, poetry-writing, painting, drumming circles, and improvisational drama. Programming also includes exhibit tours guided by docents, a healthy and nutritious lunch, personal life-event celebrations, and opportunities for socialization throughout the day.
In conjunction with the Culture Bus program, participants and their caregivers may join an early-stage support group facilitated by a Northwestern University social worker or a caregiver support group facilitated by a CJE SeniorLife social worker. Culture Bus provides a valuable service to caregivers, who are given the opportunity to take care of their own needs or take time away from a loved one who needs constant care. Caregivers also engage with others during a Culture Bus session, and participate in hands-on, expressive activities at the culmination of each ten-week series.
Three years ago, CJE replicated the Culture Bus to serve the Chicago northwest-suburban area and conducts trips every other week throughout the year. CJE was also asked to replicate the program for seniors in Tucson, Arizona, where that program, called Adventure Bus, is now in its second successful year. Culture Bus was selected as one of three recipients of the first annual Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Award, given by the Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) and The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation. The award was presented in recognition of an extraordinary program that addresses the needs of Alzheimer's caregivers.
The Culture Bus program fills a critical gap in programming for those with early stages of memory loss. Often underserved by area services, those with memory loss have few opportunities for support until their conditions become severe. At the early stages of dementia, they are still very much aware and want to continue to live a normal and fulfilling life for as long as possible. The program’s focus on arts and self-expression is particularly relevant to the challenges faced by dementia patients, as expressive art is based on experience and can be enjoyed in spite of the language, memory, and cognitive limitations characteristic of these diseases.
More information can be found here