Seton resident’s work on display in show at State Capitol

No one ever imagines they’ll find themselves living in a skilled nursing facility. But Archie Eugene Moses, a resident of the Seton Medical Center Coastside, is not letting his living arrangement interfere with his ability to be inspired and to inspire others through painting and drawing.

Moses is one of 70 nursing home residents who have their art on display at the state Capitol through March 27.  The “Art for Life” show, featuring more than 120 paintings, is sponsored by the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), which represents skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities and homes for the developmentally disabled.

“It’s important to me to remain busy and productive regardless of where I happen to call home,” said Moses.  “I hope others will also see the benefit of remaining active.” 

“This show is dedicated to the talented and creative residents in our nursing and rehab facilities and who have a lot to contribute,” said James Gomez, CAHF CEO and president. “The long-held belief that nursing homes are a place where chronically ill, elderly people go to live out their lives, with no hope of recovery, is now largely outdated,” he added.

According to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), 78% of all patients admitted to a nursing facility will be discharged after three months, many to home or another community-based setting. These short-stay patients are typically younger and may have been admitted to receive rehabilitative services following hip or knee replacement surgery or to recover from a bout of pneumonia, a stroke or heart attack before being discharged.

The art show is located in the Eureka Room in the basement of the state Capitol and is open to the public, free of charge.  Each of the works, which have been submitted from facilities around the state, includes a profile of the artist, and in some cases the paintings are for sale.