Some seniors receiving elderly care at home may find themselves spending their days in front of the television or rarely getting out of a comfy chair in their favorite spot in the house.
Often in these instances, family members and caregivers want more for their loved ones, and using alternative therapies such as art can be one way to get your senior out of their regular routine by fostering and encouraging them to be creative.
Current studies in art therapy and other creative modalities show that along with exercising our creative side and nurturing our own well-being, art can be effective in positive ways by promoting both psychological and physiological healing.
Clinical research has shown us that creating art can have a wide range of health benefits, such as reducing depression and anxiety, and that utilizing imagination and creativity in older adults can help them to realize their un-lived potentials, even when they suffer from diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
Other ways that art and art-therapy can help seniors are:
- helping with relaxation
- increasing socialization
- reducing boredom
- promoting self-expression
- improving communication
- nurturing spirituality
- forging a stronger sense of identity
- reducing anxiety or depression
Tips for getting started with art and your senior at home.
-Use safe and familiar items that your senior will be able to maneuver and always make sure someone such as a family member or a caregiver is there to directly supervise and assist your senior with any tasks that they need help with.
-Dexterity issues are common in elderly people so using tiny items such as sequins or buttons may be difficult to pick up. Sharp or dangerous items like scissors should be left to the use of the caregiver only.
-Seniors with cognitive impairments may need extra help or reminders about what they are doing, as well as extra cues and instruction to keep them moving to the next step.
Having a caregiver demonstrate each step with a visual cue often makes instruction easier to follow and understand.
-If your senior or loved one wants to create art in their own way, and stray from the instruction of the specific project, let them. It is sometimes best not to correct or critique them when they are being creative, or expect them to match your sample exactly. You may even have to get the project started for them if they are having trouble with how to begin.
Be positive and praise them throughout their artistic time.
Foster an environment of fun and creativity by talking to them and letting them know that they are doing a great job. If they end up getting frustrated or angry during a specific project, let them take a break from it or make a note that they may need a more simple or less instructed task for next time.
Display their artwork proudly around their home to brighten up the atmosphere and remind them what they are capable of. Get the caregivers involved so that elderly care can be more than just sitting in their homes doing the same thing every single day.
For more information about hiring Home Health Care in La Jolla, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Source:
Todaysgeriatricmedicine.com
Crisisprevention.com
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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