After watching all four of their grandparents live with dementia, teenage siblings Vivienne and Alexander Fullerton set out to create moments of connection, creativity and joy for others facing the same journey.
For people living with dementia, memories may fade and words can become harder to find. But one form of expression often remains: creativity.
That belief is at the heart of Creative HeARTS, a San Diego non-profit organisation using intergenerational art programmes to support people living with dementia. Through group workshops, family sessions and community art exhibitions, the organisation helps people reconnect with themselves, their loved ones and the world around them.
Creative HeARTS was founded in 2024 by then 14-year-old Vivienne Fullerton and her brother Alexander. The idea grew from something deeply personal. Over 15 years, all four of their grandparents were affected by different forms of dementia. Watching the conditions change the lives of people they loved inspired the siblings to create meaningful moments of connection for others facing similar challenges.
Vivienne combined her personal experience with academic research into neuroscience, cognition and emotional wellbeing. The result was a programme built around a simple but powerful idea: focus on what remains possible, rather than what has been lost.
In memory care settings across Southern California, Creative HeARTS has worked with older people at different stages of dementia. Its approach is grounded in research highlighting the benefits of creative engagement in enhancing quality of life and encouraging social interaction.
Every participant is encouraged to engage at their own pace, with the emphasis placed on enjoyment and self-expression rather than artistic skill. The resulting artwork often becomes a visible reminder that people living with dementia continue to possess creativity, personality and individuality.
What makes Creative HeARTS particularly special is its intergenerational approach. Young volunteers work alongside older adults, creating friendships and connections that benefit both generations.
For residents, these interactions help reduce loneliness and provide a renewed sense of purpose. For young people, they challenge misconceptions about ageing and dementia while fostering empathy, understanding and respect.
For families, the impact can be equally significant. Caring for a loved one with dementia can be emotionally demanding and isolating. Creative HeARTS creates welcoming spaces where family members can participate alongside their relatives, building positive memories while finding ways to connect when traditional forms of communication have become difficult.
As care providers continue to explore new ways of supporting people living with dementia, Creative HeARTS offers an important reminder: meaningful engagement does not always require complex interventions or expensive technology.
Despite being led by teenagers, Creative HeARTS has already attracted international recognition. In 2026, it became the only teen-led organisation to receive the Ginny Gives® Award from the Dementia Society of America and was named a finalist in the UK’s Care Talk Dementia Care Awards.
Inspired by the universal challenges families face when navigating dementia, the team hopes to expand internationally by establishing partnerships with young volunteers and community organisations to launch Creative HeARTS chapters in Europe.
In a world where dementia affects millions of families, creativity has the power to speak when words cannot. That simple truth is what continues to guide the work of Creative HeARTS today — and what may soon bring its approach across the Atlantic to the UK.
