DUBLIN, Ohio — For several weeks, Cleveland native Julia Loncar has created artwork with Sally, a memory support resident at Dublin Retirement Village. 

What You Need To Know

  • The weekly program that includes about a dozen senior citizens has found success bringing out some smiles and personalities of those residents taking part

  • The program pairs students with residents at the village to give them real-life experience of taking care of those with memory ailments, such as Alzheimer's or dementia

  • One student said her advice to others is to soak up the entire experience

Loncar is in her second year at Ohio State University's Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program, and she said this experience has opened her eyes. 

“I've learned so much in such a small amount of time. As I said, this is my third time, and I feel like I've had so many opportunities for growth,” said Loncar. 

That was Emily Stidam's idea when she brought the Opening Minds Through Art program to Dublin Retirement Village. 

“It prepares the students to be more familiar with memory care residents cause I know a lot of them have never even worked with anybody that has Alzheimer's or dementia. So it really gives them the insight,” said Stidam. 

No matter your artistic ability, the weekly program that includes about a dozen senior citizens has found success bringing out some smiles and personalities of those residents taking part. 

“Having that, like, connection with the resident was super special and just seeing how happy, just something so simple, just bonding and painting together, could go such a long way,” said Loncar. 

Loncar said she plans to graduate in May 2024, and she'd love to work in a retirement village setting. 

To other Ohio State University students who may take part in the Opening Minds Through Art program, she offers this advice: 

“Take every moment of this experience like to heart, really soak it all up,” said Loncar.