7 Benefits of Art Therapy for Aging Seniors
Aging provides seniors with opportunities to try new things. Some new activities are both enjoyable and good for your health. Perhaps one of the best examples is art therapy.
Art therapy gives older adults a chance to explore different art mediums while improving their well-being. It’s open to everyone, regardless of experience or artistic talent. Discover what you need to know about this popular activity for aging seniors.
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy uses all types of the creative arts to support people who are dealing with physical and emotional stress or illness. Painting, drawing, or other forms of hands-on creating are some methods that may be used in art therapy, but listening to music, visiting art museums, and talking about art are also valuable methods of art therapy.
Trained mental health therapists often oversee art therapy sessions. They guide groups of seniors or individual clients to use art as a way to express and address concerns related to getting older.
The 7 Key Advantages of Art Therapy for Seniors
For older adults, art therapy can offer many benefits in both mental and physical health, including these seven:
1. Improved Motor Skills
Older adults can lose their dexterity and fine motor skills from disuse. Practicing skills like painting, drawing, and sculpting can improve blood flow to the hands and enhance muscle coordination in those areas.
2. Balanced Mood
Spending time talking about, enjoying, or making art is an ideal outlet for stress and anxiety. Focusing on art can give seniors a break from worrying about the future.
Adaptive devices help seniors with vision or hearing loss to create. Being able to participate in art therapy can reduce frustration over these challenges and give seniors an outlet for free expression, regardless of limitations.
3. Increased Social Interaction
Loneliness and isolation can be difficult for people of any age to cope with, and seniors are no different. Art therapy sessions provide older adults with a chance to connect with others who share their interests and want to engage in conversation.
4. Neuroplasticity Support
Neuroplasticity is the way the brain adapts and learns to reorganize its connections in new ways. Learning skills, such as drawing or analyzing music, can provide opportunities for the brain to form new neural pathways and support brain health.
5. Pain Relief
Art therapy may even support people who are dealing with chronic pain from conditions like arthritis. The gentle movement of the hands and feet while creating could help improve circulation and decrease the inflammation that causes pain.
In addition, creative endeavors provide seniors with something enjoyable to think about and may help them focus less on their discomfort.
6. Improved Memory
People with memory loss related to dementia can benefit from art therapy. For example, looking at art, listening to music, or engaging in hands-on creativity may spark buried memories and help those with memory issues be present in the moment.
For those living with memory loss and their loved ones, even a few moments of clarity are a precious gift.
7. Better Self-Expression
Getting older sometimes comes with communication challenges. Seniors may have difficulty speaking or comprehending due to health issues. Sometimes, it can be hard to communicate with younger generations, no matter how well you speak or understand.
Art therapy provides a means of self-expression that doesn’t rely on verbal skills. It can also give inter-generational family members a common topic to bond over.
Find Art Therapy Sessions in Your Area
Art therapy can promote better mood, brain health, and social interaction in people of all ages. If you or someone you care about could benefit from art therapy, it may be helpful to explore whether your local senior center or community recreation program provides opportunities in your area.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
