Michelle Olson, Phd Email & Phone Number

New York, Ny, Us

New York, Ny, Us

🌿 Established a 501c3 charitable organization that provides people living with dementia opportunities for meaningful connections and pathways to physical, social, and emotional well-being through mindful immersions in nature, the arts, intergenerational relationships, and community partnerships.• Spearheaded Project Growing Together from the ground up, an intergenerational and dementia-inclusive community garden with an art gallery on the Ecological Preserve at Vassar Collegeo Run the daily operations, optimize processes, manage community outreach and grant writing, engage students and volunteers, and centralize controls for efficiency• Developed a 16-week curriculum for Vassar College Human Physiology students, interns, and community volunteers to design, plant, tend, and harvest a community garden and create art for the garden gallery; developed memory care programs within five senior living communities now in its 3rd consecutive year • Reduce stigma and misconceptions regarding dementia by creating rich inter-generational experiences, workshops, and forest therapy sessions• Partner closely with local organizations, including senior care communities, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Dutchess Land Conservancy, No Child Left Inside, Wild Hudson Valley, Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center, the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, and Dia Beacon Art Museum in NY• Organize and facilitate educational training and certification opportunities for eldercare organizations to implement Evergreen Minds’ Nature-based dementia care philosophyo Utilize program effectiveness surveys to gather participatory data and feedback on programming, consistently uncovering positive outcomes for both elders and student interns• Mentor and develop up to 16 individuals to ensure elder care therapeutic, cognitive, and psychoeducational needs are met through expressive arts programming

• Instruct a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate students through two asynchronous classes, guiding them in understanding emotional, cognitive, and physical health in the aging process• Cultivate critical thinking regarding topics of mental health, aging, social issues, and adult development• Lead lectures and discussions to engage students and offer opportunities to expand and reimagine age-based biases, beliefs, and stereotypes; evaluate students’ ongoing progress and provide feedback on assignments

Wellesley, Massachusetts, Us

• Designed programs and guided strategic problem-solving and planning for families facing challenges related to aging, life transitions, dementia, mental and physical health issues, crisis intervention, and end-of-life care • Selected to present to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), educating caregivers on the power of expressive arts for people living with dementia with the FTD focus• Communicated effectively with caregivers and care partners to provide education on dementia and mental health; shared updates on caseloads, advocating strongly for each family and their unique needs and abilitieso Conveyed options for families to make informed decisions and contribute referrals to vetted local legal, financial, medical, and emotional, as well as cognitive health resources• Organized medical care working closely within an interdisciplinary team of up to 12 to holistically assess client needs and ensure medical, legal, technology, and safety resources are available and accessible • Planned and facilitated Expressive Arts Therapy programs both in-person and virtually for clients experiencing emotional challenges related to various types of dementia and life transitions

Poughkeepsie, New York, Us

• Oversaw the development and implementation of two courses for lifelong learners on mindful caregiving, benefits of forest and nature therapy, and expressive arts therapy• Created experiential and interactive courses to promote opportunities for improved emotional, cognitive, and social well-being, mindfulness, and creative self-expression• Utilized instructional technology to reach diverse learners online, in-person, and using hybrid models

Amman, 972, Jo

• Launched a consulting practice providing education, experiential workshops, and art therapy services within eldercare settings for people with dementia and their care partners living in the community• Designed and executed creative community programs, serving 150+ individuals in person and additional virtual programs for the Alzheimer's Association and Meals on Wheels across five counties, playing a pivotal role in securing grant funding• Prioritized working with people living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, addressing varying behavioral and psychological challenges and creating opportunities for connections and life fulfillment• Led art therapy for older adults for self-expression, mindfulness, stress-reduction, life story sharing, and autonomy, promoting a sense of community and accomplishment and enhancing the quality of life• Planned and facilitated onsite dementia training workshops and educational opportunities with health care staff, which included art therapy interventions for self-expression and learning• Successfully funded the Expressive Arts Therapy Program with an AFA Grant awarded to the Bobbi Lewis Adult Day Center: Meals on Wheels Programs & Services of Rockland, Inc. (2013-2015)

Ossining, New York, Us

Washington, Dc, Us

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Gerontology Leadership

Master Of Science (M.S.), Art Therapy

Bachelor Of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Fine Art Photography