Art Therapy for Seniors: Benefits of Drawing and Coloring

Senior Care in Water Mill NY

Drawing and coloring are not activities that are just enjoyed by children; in fact, many seniors can benefit from creating art projects. Art therapy is a fun, relaxing experience for many elders, while also allowing them to improve communication, social, cognitive, and motor skills. When participating in these activities, the seniors are utilizing both the left and right hemispheres of their brain by using both logic and creativity. Drawing and coloring allows the older adults to forget about chronic diseases or other conditions that are affecting their lives. This form of art therapy is an activity that is enjoyed by the elder and is often something they look forward to. To find out if drawing and coloring is the perfect therapeutic medium for the senior in your life, here are some benefits that can be found through art therapy.

Benefits of Drawing and Coloring for Seniors

Coordination

As adults age, it takes even more of an effort to control the muscles in their arms and hands, as well as maintain coordination in all of their activities. Doing a simple activity, such as coloring in a coloring book, can strengthen and delay the loss of these skills, while also helping to prevent the loss of cognitive skills.

Creativity

Even for seniors who have never picked up a pencil to draw a picture outside of childhood, creativity and talent they never knew they had has been known to blossom with these therapeutic activities. Creativity is a skill that can help many in their daily lives as well, whether they are looking for a solution to solve a problem and need to think outside of the box or are looking for new ways to raise money for a non-profit organization the elder holds near and dear to their heart.

Communication

Many aging adults have conditions that make it difficult for them to communicate their feelings and thoughts, including dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and strokes. By creating a picture, they are able to express themselves without having to use their words.

De-Stress

Art is an excellent way to remove any feelings of stress in the elder’s body that may be increasing their level of forgetfulness, anxiety, and worry. By focusing on the picture they are creating, all other thoughts begin to melt away, including those of the physical ailments that are causing them pain or other stressful situations that are going on in their lives. Drawing and coloring are activities that can be very rewarding for the senior, while also allowing them to feel relaxed.

Feelings of Accomplishment

Whether the elder has been creating art for many years or just started to unleash their artistic abilities, being able to look at the pictures they completed will give them a sense of pride and accomplishment, as well as boosting the senior’s self-esteem.

Art therapy is a great way to improve the aging adult’s psychological and physical well-being by learning techniques to create and complete beautiful works of art.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional senior care services in Water Mill, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.

Source
The Assisted Living Federation of America and American Art Therapy Association. Art in Senior Living: Enhancing the Lives of Older Adults. (2013).

Golden Carers. Benefits of Colouring-In for the Elderly.