When it comes to art, there’s truly something out there for everyone. Arts and crafts can be a lot of fun for seniors, even if they’ve never been interested in art before. Although it has become a cliche of senior care in some ways, there’s a reason why so many nursing homes and assisted living facilities do have senior arts and crafts sessions. It can be a valuable resource.
But not everyone feels like they are creative naturally. But everyone has something that they are talented in, have a natural inclination for, or really enjoy when it comes to creativity. It’s just a matter of finding it. To give you an example from my own life, I have never really felt any sort of talent or enjoyment when it comes to creating art. I love viewing good art, but have never felt an urge or calling toward creating myself. Until I found penmaking. I love turning wooden pens on the lathe and have found that I am naturally talented in this respect.
The point is, everyone has some sort of creative pursuit that they enjoy. And there’s a therapeutic value behind it for many people. It doesn’t need to be woodturning or anything fancy like that. The right craft for you and your elderly loved one can be as simple as drawing pictures, coloring, or macrame. Or it can be as complex as you wish for it to be. The goal isn’t necessarily to create amazing, world-class art, but rather to find an outlet that can be a source of inspiration, motivation, and enjoyment.
Studies show that creative undertakings are helpful to improving health, both mental and physical. There’s even been evidence that creativity can help slow the spread of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. It helps to establish a greater sense of purpose in life and gives people a reason to keep going. This isn’t always a problem for everyone, but as many people age, they do suffer with purposelessness, especially if they’re not as active as they once were. Crafts are one easy way to help some people overcome this.
Being partnered with a caregiver or care service that understands the importance of individual interests and recognizes the value in allowing people to live their lives the way that they wish to continue them when receiving senior care is important. That’s where something like in-home care can really help you and your family to thrive. In-home care is centered around the individual, and not on some cookie cutter model of providing care. It starts with your loved one’s goals and desires for their senior years and helps them to achieve these things. Even if care is needed, there’s no reason why their life needs to be turned upside down.
Sometimes more intensive care is necessary. We can help with that, too. Our free consultation service will help get your family connected in the right direction when it comes to finding the ideal senior care to meet your needs. Please let us know how we can help.
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