Expressive Arts Therapy Programs for Seniors
Swansonarts
Bringing art, music, creative movement and cultural programs to seniors.
Putting the Joy in Elder hood
The elderly benefit enormously through creative activity. They are at a point in life when circumstances cause complex emotions and challenges. They are dealing with transitions; loss of loved ones, loss of physical mobility and or feelings of isolation. The power of creativity is monumental. Artists and innovators know the experience. Yet creativity is no way limited to the artist. We have had to be creativity in our everyday lives as mothers, fathers, teachers, businessmen and women. With more leisure time and more adjustments to be made, a perfect time to be involved in creative activities is in elder hood. Creative art forms may offer a hobby, a passion, or tools for dealing with life’s issues.
Creative expression can be an outlet to release important feelings or thoughts that are new and confusing. For elders, using art to communicate and process the complex events in their life opens a new door full of wonderful materials and structures that bring surprise and satisfaction. When life or physical changes limit prior activities, it is crucial that we retrain ourselves in areas where we can continue to feel joy. When we express ourselves, we stay engaged in our world and can interact. The frustration of the hearing impaired or the sight impaired is significantly diminished when becoming involved in new and creative activities. For elders who are alone and isolated, being able to express themselves in a way that keeps them alert, independent, and connected is a positive change. Specific structures and activities bring people closer while encouraging productivity, individuality and responsibility.
An environment where every sense can be stimulated, sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell will be provided. All are welcome, regardless of capability, mobility and perceived talent in any area. Creativity in the various arts provides opportunities for elders to open new avenues to self-expression and life review. In the aging process artistic endeavors are worthy tools for reminiscence, closure, progress and connection making.
Benefits of the Expressive and creative arts to the elderly are:
Mental clarity and growth
Staying engaged in life
Bringing happy memories of the past together with the present
Offering choice and control
Increased awareness of environmental factors
A means of expressing the elusive such as the divine or spiritual experiences of life
Adaptation and smooth transitions
Social support and interaction
Improved emotional state
Positive feelings and outlook
A sense of well being
Expressing loss and sadness
Establishing a new and positive identity
Feelings of responsibility and productivity
The goal would be to begin a group with 5-8 group members who have a need or interest in participating and interacting in a consistent group. A group member may volunteer to be involved or be chosen by a health care professional with specific goals in mind. An Assessment may be done by the art therapist to determine the appropriateness of the individual for a group as well as setting goals for success. Because each individual will have different abilities and disabilities it will be important to understand what those are before beginning treatment. An assessment by the art therapist will also help establish a relationship which will continue throughout the group with the resident. Members in each group will remain consistent in order to insure the development of the creative process, group dynamics and the social bonding of participants.
The areas of concern for a resident in a geriatric setting may be that he or she is becoming isolated, is having difficulty dealing with losses, physically or emotionally or both. They may be having difficulty with speech, hearing, sight and mobility or experiencing debilitating feelings of frustration and depression.
Concern; Isolation
Goals;
Art Therapist will assess what the resident is feeling and note areas of interests.
Resident will; be placed in an appropriate group.
Attend an expressive therapy group once per week.
Gain motivation to be productive with the art materials.
Produce work that they can be proud.
Feel a sense of success.
Motivated to get involved in other activities.
Concern; Loss of physical abilities
Goals;
Art Therapist will assess feelings of loss and ability of the resident.
Resident will; begin to have a relationship with the Therapist.
Acknowledge current ability and disabilities.
Learn to use what motion they have and begin to accept the loss of mobility.
Be involved in a group which will be supportive and sensitive to feelings.
Feel connected.
Expand movement by getting involved in projects that require specific mobility.
Be offered projects appropriate for the resident in regards to ability.
Concern; Emotional loss, frustration and depression
Goals;
Art Therapist will assess emotional feelings and areas of interest of the resident.
Resident will; begin to have a relationship with the Therapist.
Acknowledge emotions.
Be placed in an appropriate group on a once a week basis.
Learn to be expressive through the materials offered.
Be involved in a group which will be supportive and sensitive to feelings.
Feel connected
Be motivated to get involved in additional activities.
Art therapist will assess resident goals every 3-6 months
Measuring outcomes. Additional goals will be set upon assessment of goals reached. Ways in which to measure goals will be decided with the resident. Measurements may include but may not be limited by specific behaviors. How motivated is the resident to get up in the morning? How many activities during the week does the resident attend? How interactive is the resident with others? How independent is the resident? How many positive behaviors does the resident initiate?
An example of a recent success of a resident.
Mrs. R had recently had a stroke which left her paralyzed on the right side and her eye site quite impaired. Since she was right handed she assumed that she could not do any of the things that she thought she could do before. She started coming to art group and realized that she had some controlled mobility in her left hand which has allowed her to draw in a way that was free and whimsical. This image was duplicated and embellished by Mrs. R and she has put the images together in a way that she has a beautiful set of fine art cards to give as gifts and or to write to her family and friends. We are able to talk about the fact that her left hand has enabled her to draw differently than the right hand and is even allowing her to draw with some feeling of motion and freedom. From this point she will be encouraged to begin to write with her left hand making her feel that she can still communicate even though it is not with the same kind of control with the right hand. She is coming to art group now, isolating less and hopeful about other activities in which she may participate.
Activities presented by the Expressive Therapist
Drawing, painting, card making, sculpture, group interaction, collage, clay, jewelry, gift, pottery, art history, poetry, brainstorming, movement, music, dyad interaction, individual, and group projects, scrap booking, journal writing, creative inventions, imaginary storytelling.
Cultural programs
Opera
Classical Music
Ballet
Literature
Travel through DVD's
Art history presentations
Visits to museums
Themes are used to stimulate thought, images, memories, emotions, sharing and interaction. Below are some of the themes that were developed by elder groups.
- Travel around the world
- Remembering friendships
- A group in tune
- Relaxing journeys
- The perfect playground
- 3 amazing goals
- The meaning of cleaning house
- For the love of children and grandchildren
- The season’s beauty
- Where were you in 1930?
- Sweet deserts
- Wonderful differences
- Such is life
- What you didn’t tell your parents
- What you would like to tell your parents now
- All that jazz
- Music that makes you dance
- Dancing with a partner
- The map of progress
- Health and living
- Favorite recipes
- Closing a door
- Something you wish you had said
- Something you wish you had done
- Dreaming
- Working pleasures
- Staying vibrant