Creativity is a powerful therapy tool and it is something that doesn’t have to disappear as we age. It can be an especially useful tool when used as a part of a senior care routine. If you have an older parent, helping them to embrace their creativity in some way can go a long way toward improving their mental health and keeping them happier. Let’s look at a couple reasons why this is and see how you can incorporate it into their daily lives.
Creativity helps improve cognitive functioning. Studies have shown that brain exercises help improve thought processes and keep brains healthier–even among those that have Alzheimer;s disease. Producing artwork, or composing poetry, or even just singing a song will provide the same benefits. It forces the brain to think in an uncommon way, and this can help neurons learn new ways of communicating with each other. If your loved one has dementia, this can help slow down the growth of it and keep them functioning at a higher level for longer periods of time. Just like puzzles and word games help reroute brain patterns and keep things working more smoothly for longer, creative endeavors act in a very similar manner, except many people find them to be a lot more entertaining. This is a key point because it doubles as a form of entertainment, which leads us to the second point.
Reason number two is a lot more practical. When your mom or dad is being creative in a way that they enjoy, they also stay happier. Drawing, or playing an instrument, or writing a story are all fun, and it keeps life a lot more interesting and more satisfying. It gives them something extra to look forward to, and it gives their lives more meaning. Yes, it might seem silly at first–to both of you, even–but in the end, if they are enjoying it and getting something out of it, it will be a positive thing for them. There’s a reason why art therapy has become popular as it can act as not only a form of entertainment, but a stress release and even a way to express emotions, too. For those that do suffer from Alzheimer’s, it can also help them to communicate in a different way and can help ease the frustrations that naturally come with this disease. Just because speaking becomes more difficult does not mean that the person you love doesn’t have anything to say, and art can help them to express themselves in a way they wouldn’t think to on their own. In this way, it is helping them to keep on going forward with their lives, even though some aspects of it have become tougher.
These things are really easy to incorporate into your parent’s life when they are receiving in-home care. You can help a caregiver figure out what your mom or dad enjoys doing, and then think of ways to let them do it during the day. This is a benefit that is found with in-home care since the caregiver will be able to give your parent better attention and guidance while they go through the day and help when necessary.
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