Does Art Therapy Benefit Seniors with Dementia?

People with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease lose their ability to communicate effectively with others. Some may even become non-verbal. But, being unable to verbally express their feelings doesn’t mean they don’t have them. Just like everyone else, people with dementia experience joy, sadness, frustration, and anger. One way that people who have lost the ability to speak can express their feelings is through art.

Home Health Care in Bridgehampton NY: Art-Therapy Dementia Benefits

The Alzheimer’s Association has launched a nationwide art program called Memories in the Making.
The purpose of the program is to allow people with dementia to use creativity to spark memories, inspire joy, and offer a new way to express themselves. The ultimate goal of the program is to make “happy humans.”

While there are places your aging relative can go to take art classes or engage in art therapy, you can also offer them meaningful opportunities to make art at home by following some simple tips. And, art doesn’t have to be just painting or drawing. There are all sorts of ways to create art, giving you lots of options for activities the older adult will enjoy and has the skills for.

Tips for Art Projects

When you’re planning an art project for someone with dementia, you’ll need to keep their abilities and take some steps you might not do for a person without dementia. Some general rules to follow when planning a project are:

• • Don’t make the project too childish as it may seem demeaning to the senior.

• • Find ways to talk during the project. You can ask about the project, offer words of encouragement, or reminisce.

• • You may need to help the older adult to get started. For example, if they are painting, you may have to hold their hand and assist them to move the brush over the canvas.

• • Make sure all of the art supplies are safe.

• • Allow plenty of time for the project but remember that they can stop and come back to it later.

Art Project Ideas

Most people think of painting or drawing when they think of art. However, there are lots of other art projects that might spark interest and memories in seniors with dementia. Some ideas are:

-Make handmade cards. You can use rubber stamps and ink, paper pieces, or even images cut from commercially made cards.

-Do a jigsaw puzzle. Jigsaw puzzles may not exactly be art, but they do allow seniors to create a picture.

-Color using adult coloring pages.

-Make upcycle crafts. Repurpose items you have around the house to make art projects.

Doing art projects can require some assistance and supervision. Elderly care providers can set up art activities for older adults. Elderly care providers can help your older family member to get started with a project and talk with them while they do it, encouraging communication. An elderly care provider can watch over your senior loved one while they do the project to ensure they stay safe and don’t become frustrated. And, when the project is completed, an elderly care provider can help clean up.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Health Care in Bridgehampton, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.

Sources
Aarp.org
Alz.org