Benefits of Art Therapy for Physical and Mental Wellbeing
In the golden years of life, the pursuit of happiness and mental well-being often takes a different form. For many older Australians, the canvas, the brush, and the melody become more than just tools of expression; they become bridges to enhanced mental health and deeper connections. Art therapy, a fusion of creativity and therapeutic practice, has emerged as a beacon of hope, offering myriad benefits from cognitive stimulation to emotional solace. As we delve into the world of art therapy, we'll uncover its profound impact on the elderly, especially those living with dementia, and explore how nurturing one's inner artist can be a transformative journey towards improved mental health and overall well-being.
In this blog:
Benefits of Art Therapy on the Health of Older Australians
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is more than just the act of creating; it's a therapeutic process that intertwines the realms of art and psychology. At its core, art therapy provides individuals with a medium to express themselves, explore their emotions, and address unresolved issues. While it's facilitated by professional art therapists who are trained to interpret the non-verbal symbols and metaphors often found in art, the benefits aren't limited to formal sessions. Even joining regular art classes can offer a semblance of the therapeutic experience, allowing older adults to immerse themselves in the creative process and reap its mental health rewards.
What Does the Science Say About Art Therapy?
The wonders of the human brain are vast, and neuroscience has provided insights into the enduring nature of our creative centres. Even as other parts of the brain may face challenges with age or health conditions, the creative hubs remain resilient. This resilience is particularly evident in older individuals, where art therapy has been shown to bolster memory and enhance communication. The act of creating art, be it through painting, drawing, or sculpting, taps into these enduring centres, offering a unique avenue for cognitive stimulation and growth.
Recent studies have delved into the therapeutic benefits of art, especially for older adults. One such comprehensive study is the "Creativity and art therapies to promote healthy aging: A scoping review" by Flavia Galassi and colleagues.
Conducted by Flavia Galassi, Alessandra Merizzi, Barbara D’Amen, and Sara Santini, this scoping review was published on PubMed Central (PMC), a full-text archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature at the U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine.
The study investigates the value of creative arts therapies (ATs) for healthy older adults. Using the definition provided by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and Cohen’s framework, the researchers aim to understand the effectiveness of art therapies in preventing common age-related conditions. The review was based on an initial search across three databases, from which twelve articles were chosen for examination. The primary findings of the study highlighted four major themes:
Improving cognitive performance and proprioception.
Enhancing self-identity and meaningful life.
Reducing feelings of loneliness and depressive symptoms.
Emphasizing the importance of socialization.
These aspects are foundational for preventing psychological distress and promoting mental well-being in the aging process.
The study underscores the profound impact of art therapies on the mental and emotional well-being of older adults. Engaging in creative processes not only offers cognitive and emotional benefits but also plays a pivotal role in social engagement and overall quality of life.
How Can Art Therapy Benefit Seniors?
Self-expression and Mental Wellbeing
For many older adults, articulating emotions or experiences becomes challenging, especially in the face of cognitive decline or health conditions. Art therapy offers a unique platform for self-expression:
Emotional Catharsis
Through art, emotions that might have been suppressed or unexpressed find an outlet. Whether it's a swirl of dark hues representing a challenging period or bright splashes symbolising moments of joy, art allows for an emotional release, promoting mental equilibrium.
Sense of Purpose
Engaging in art projects provides a clear goal – the completion of a piece. This journey from a blank canvas to a finished artwork instils a sense of purpose, countering feelings of aimlessness that some may experience in their later years.
Boosted Confidence
Every artwork is a testament to one's abilities. For older adults, seeing their creations come to life can be a significant confidence booster, reinforcing their self-worth and capabilities.
Cognitive Benefits
The brain, like any muscle, benefits from regular exercise. Art therapy provides cognitive stimulation in various ways:
Memory Enhancement
Recalling past experiences to depict them in art can serve as a memory exercise. Over time, this can lead to improved memory recall and retention.
Problem-solving Skills
Art requires decision-making, from choosing colours to determining the flow of a piece. These decisions enhance problem-solving skills, keeping the mind agile.
Neural Pathway Development
Learning new art techniques or revisiting old ones can stimulate the brain to form new neural connections, offsetting age-related neural decline.
Physical Benefits
Engaging in art isn't just mentally stimulating; it offers physical benefits too:
Fine Motor Skill Enhancement
Activities like sketching, painting, or sculpting require precise hand movements. Regularly practising these activities can improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Muscle Coordination
Larger art projects, such as pottery or large-scale paintings, engage broader muscle groups, promoting coordination and strength.
Sensory Stimulation
The tactile experience of handling art materials, the visual delight of colours, and even the scent of certain mediums provide multisensory stimulation, beneficial for overall sensory health.
Social Benefits
Humans are inherently social beings, and this need for connection doesn't diminish with age:
Community Building
Group art sessions foster a sense of community. Sharing art experiences, discussing techniques, or simply appreciating each other's work can forge strong bonds among participants.
Communication Skills
Discussing their artwork gives older adults an opportunity to enhance their verbal communication skills, articulating their thought processes and emotions tied to their creations.
Combatting Loneliness
Regular group sessions offer a routine social interaction, acting as a deterrent to feelings of isolation. The shared experience of art creation can lead to deep, meaningful conversations and lasting friendships.
Suggested reading: How Music Therapy Can Help People Living with Dementia
Art Therapy and Dementia
Dementia, a collective term for a range of cognitive impairments, poses significant challenges to affected individuals and their families. As communication becomes strained and memories blur, finding ways to connect and express becomes paramount. Art therapy emerges as a powerful tool in this context, offering a myriad of benefits:
Unlocking Memories
While dementia might cloud certain memories, the act of creating art can serve as a key to unlock them. Drawing or painting scenes from the past can stimulate dormant memories, allowing individuals to reconnect with their life stories.
Non-verbal Communication
As dementia progresses, verbal communication can diminish. Art provides an alternative avenue for expression. Through their creations, individuals can convey feelings, experiences, and even fragments of their past, offering caregivers and loved ones a deeper understanding of their inner world.
Sensory Stimulation
Engaging with different art materials – the texture of clay, the vibrancy of paints, or the rhythm of sketching – provides sensory stimulation. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with dementia, offering moments of clarity and connection.
Emotional Well-being
The act of creating can be incredibly therapeutic. For those with dementia, it offers a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Completing an artwork can boost confidence, counteracting feelings of helplessness or frustration that might arise due to their condition.
Social Engagement
Group art therapy sessions offer social interaction, a crucial aspect often missing in the lives of those with dementia. These sessions provide a platform for shared experiences, fostering connections and reducing feelings of isolation.
Cognitive Exercise
While dementia affects cognitive functions, engaging in art can offer some resistance. Making decisions about colours, shapes, and themes exercises the brain, potentially slowing the progression of cognitive decline.
Personal Identity
Dementia can often rob individuals of their sense of self. Art therapy allows them to express their identity, reminding them and their loved ones of the person beyond the condition.
Suggested reading: Guide to Taking Care of a Loved One with Dementia
Tunstall's Commitment to Holistic Well-being
At Tunstall Healthcare, we recognise the profound impact of holistic approaches to well-being, especially for our older clients. Our dedication to Connected Care goes beyond just personal alarms, fall detectors and medical alert pendants. We believe in embracing comprehensive strategies that cater to the mental, emotional, and social aspects of health.
Art therapy, as highlighted in this article, is a testament to the myriad of non-traditional methods that can significantly enhance the quality of life for our clients. By staying informed about such therapeutic practices, we aim to foster a community that is not only safe and monitored but also enriched, engaged, and mentally vibrant. It's this commitment to holistic care that sets Tunstall apart, ensuring our clients lead fulfilling lives in all dimensions.
Keep reading: E-Health Music Application for Dementia Set to Launch in 2025