Art Therapy for Seniors: Learn About Painting as Art Therapy

Senior Care in Bridgehampton NY

The Journal of Today’s Geriatric Medicine notes what in-home professionals who provide senior care and elder care have known for years; encouraging older adults who have a chronic illness to make drawings and paintings is a terrific idea.

Everyone benefits from a chance to express creativity. Art therapy is especially effective for those suffering from Alzheimer’s because it not only improves emotional attitude, which leads to better physical well-being; it also improves cognitive function. Making art is good for the brain.

Making Art Helps the Mind
It is not the quality of the artwork that is important. Instead, it is the quality of the experience. One symptom Alzheimer’s has is the inability of the person to express themselves fully. This also happens to stroke victims. They may know what they want to say, yet are not able to conjure up the correct words from memory to be able to express themselves.

A useful exercise is to help these patients express positive emotions, by drawing them or a representation of what the feelings are like.

Viewing Art is Also Good Therapy
One breakthrough method reported on ABC News, invented by Dr. John Zeisel, is taking patients to the New York art museums to spend time looking at art masterpieces. Dr. Zeisel discovered that regular outings to art museums calmed the patients with short-term memory problems caused by Alzheimer’s. These trips reduced the four A’s that are common in patients with Alzheimer’s, which are, anxiety, aggression, apathy and agitation.

Dr. Zeisel explains that memory is not lost in those who suffer with Alzheimer’s. Instead, the part of the brain that gives access to the memories does not function correctly. All the memories are still there. Older adults who have memory problems do not enjoy experiences like watching movies because in order to enjoy the story, requires being able to remember what happened in the beginning of the movie.

Beautiful artwork is quite different, because everything about it is contained in the image. The art is all there in the present moment, so it does not require any memory usage to enjoy it. Art masterpieces have the ability to trigger an emotional response in the viewer. This works with Alzheimer’s patients.

Dr. Zeisel took a handful of Alzheimer’s patients to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. The effect on them was outstanding. They were calmer, and able to enjoy the visit as well as discuss their feelings about the art. When they went back home to the facilities where they lived or where they received home care, the caregivers noted a marked improvement in their attitude. Dr. Zeisel wrote the book entitled, “I’m Still Here; A New Philosophy of Alzheimer’s Care.”

Summary
In-home professional caregivers providing elderly care want to remind everyone that art therapy is helpful. This can be in the form of painting or drawing. It could be taking day trips to view art in museums, or taking time to view art in coffee table books. In all these ways, enjoying art is a terrific way to improve the mental attitude and cognitive function of those with Alzheimer’s.

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

Source
Aging: What’s Art Got To Do With It?
http://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/news/ex_082809_03.shtml

Alzheimer’s and ART: Breakthrough Therapy – ABC News Intvw w/ Dr. John Zeisel