Fort Scott man uses art despite Alzheimers
FORT SCOTT — Richard McCalment was always a man of many talents. A medical technologist, he started the night lab at Fort Scott Mercy Hospital, according to his wife, Maurine, an RN. She added that her husband was also a talented artist. “He could always paint anything he wanted,” Mrs. McCalment said. “When we were in Satanta, Kansas, where they have a museum shaped like a cement teepee, he painted life-size Indians all around the museum. He got them off an old postcard.”
Alzheimer’s has started its slow process of robbing McCalment of his life, but he still has his humor and personality. And, as a participant in the Memories in the Making program developed by the Alzheimer’s Association, he can also still paint. Using quality watercolors, participants are able to communicate with their paintbrushes what they may no longer be able to say. Sometimes old memories are resurrected. “They may paint flowers they had in their yard when they were in their 20s,” said Rhonda Hawpe, activity director at Fort Scott Manor, where McCalment now resides. “We have a 100-year-old lady here who doesn’t talk any more, but she paints the prettiest bouquets of flowers.” She said that Fort Scott Manor has offered this program to residents for 2 1/2 years. .
