WESTLAKE, Ohio — Whether it’s listening to music, painting, or collaborating to tell an amazing story, those who come to the Center for Artful Living are encouraged to tap into their creative side. The center is home of the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health. It's an engaging, supportive, safe space for those living with dementia and their families. 

“The essence of dementia care is communication, and that's why we use art.” Dr. Charles Farrell said. 

Farrell is the co-founder of the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health. The foundation helps keep the memory and mission of his wife, Carolyn, alive. He cared for Carolyn for 10 years before she passed away in 2015. Farrell said that experience prepared him to help hundreds of others.

“I just sort of look at what we're doing and kind of is Carolyn in my head, would she like that? Or would we have to change? And so, we're still together, building this foundation,” he said. 

Farrell said art increases the quality of life for individuals affected by dementia and their caretakers. With the support of a generous community, this programming is offered for free. Farrell said that leading activities here isn’t only rewarding for him, it helps him. He was diagnosed with dementia a year ago. He said one of the many things he has learned over the years is that he can still have a fulfilling and art-filled life. 

“People can manage dementia and families can live well with dementia. So when I learned that I was one of these people, I felt very comfortable because I knew that we had done this for hundreds of people before and there's no reason that we can't do this for myself,” he said.