alzheimer programme

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In April 2013, the Van Abbemuseum, in collaboration with theStedelijk Museum Amsterdam, started a special programme for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers: Unforgettable Van Abbe. Unforgettable Van Abbe is based on the successful Meet Me at MoMA programme of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
More and more people have to deal with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in a direct or indirect way. Still there is no cure for the disease. Looking at art offers participants the possibility to share ideas without relying on their short-term memory and provides access to long-term memory and personal experiences. Moreover, looking at art stimulates the brain through cognitive exercise with research showing this has a positive effect on one’s health.
The Unforgettable Van Abbe programme consists of interactive tours in the museum. Looking at art offers people who are dealing with Alzheimer's disease the opportunity to express themselves and to engage in a dialogue with their environment. What is special about this programme is that it not only leads to an improvement in the quality of life of the person with Alzheimer's disease, but it also has positive effects on the caregiver and the relationship between them. Furthermore the museum offers a safe and inspiring environment to get in touch with peers. During the programme the focus is on the positive, creative and inspiring, not the disease.

Individual visitors are, together with their caregiver, welcome on every second Monday of the month.

Time: 14:30 to 16:00 hours
Price: € 7.50 per participant, including entrance               
Language: Dutch

Reservations are required and can be made by phone or e-mail:
T: +31 (0)40 238 1042 
E: reserveringen@vanabbemuseum.nl

This tour can also be booked as an activity on other days, if requested at least one week prior to the desired date.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: € 75 for a group of maximum 14 people, including entrance.
Book by phone or e-mail:
T: +31 (0)40 238 1042
E: reserveringen@vanabbemuseum.nl

The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is a partner of this programme. Thanks to support of the Gieskes-Strijbis Fundation, the program will be expanded with 10 other museums in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The next 10 museums have been chosen:
Centraal Museum
Utrecht CODA
Museum Apeldoorn
Drents Museum Assen
Limburgs Museum together with Museum van Bommel van Dam
Venlo Mauritshuis
Den Haag Museum
Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam
Museum Dr8888, Drachten
Natura Docet Wonderryck, Twente
Denekamp Zeeuws Museum, Middelburg
Singer Laren, Laren

Unforgettable Van Abbe and Unforgettable Stedelijk are made possible by Gieskes-Strijbis Fonds, Fonds Sluyterman van Loo and Stichting RCOAK.

Unforgettable Van Abbe was a source of inspiration for the Special Guests programme. In this programme everything revolves around the visitor him or herself. The Van Abbemuseum is accessible for everyone who is curious. It does not matter if you are blind or visually impared, deaf or hard hearing. Even if you are not able to visit the museum yourself, the museum will come to you. Unlimited Van Abbe.

For more information or questions about the Alzheimer programme please contact Mariëtte Vorwerk at educatie@vanabbemuseum.nl