Each week, I have been introducing residents of aged care facilities, aged 80 and over, to a new creative activity that involves different media and themes that exercise their fine motor skills.
Creating Vivid
The Vivid Sydney Festival is held each year, and one year I was able to show the residents some photos that I had captured. My thinking was that while the residents can’t visit Vivid Sydney themselves, they can experience it through the photos, and create their own Vivid!
I invited everyone to make an LED tea light candle lantern. During the process, some people reminisced about what the city used to look like, and how much they love Christmas lights.
Everyone had so much fun making their lantern. I was so moved by the sparkle in their eyes and the pride that they felt when they exclaimed, “We made these!”
Creating Connections
All the residents have told me that they can’t wait to show their work to their families. Their work stimulates conversation, strengthening their bond with their loved ones. Some residents have said that they will teach the creative activities to their whole family – their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Speaking of children, creativity certainly brings out the Inner Child. I observed wonder and play during a mandala activity. Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning “sacred circle”, where the person can express themselves within the safe container of a circle.
I have a group of residents who love stickers, so I introduced mandalas with a twist – sticker mandalas! Each resident was asked to put stickers onto a foam circle! They revelled in the process!
Some enjoyed all the colourful bling, while others expressed their love for animals by covering their circle with animal stickers. I saw the Inner Child erupt when a couple of residents started putting stickers on each other for fun!
Creating a Safe Outlet
Of course, it’s not always about fun and laughter, and I have been honoured to witness how Art Therapy has given people the space to connect with, and process, their feelings. This was quite evident during a Mother’s Day activity.
Residents were asked to fill a big heart shape with different coloured crepe paper and cellophane while allowing themselves to feel any emotions that arise with Mother’s Day, whether that be happiness, bliss, sadness, abandonment or anger. While Mother’s Day is often regarded as a happy occasion, it can bring up unhappy memories for some people.
Some residents felt grateful to have the opportunity to express the grief they felt at having lost their mother or a child.
There have also been times when residents get irritable during Art Therapy. This is a breakthrough moment – the resident feels free to voice their feelings, and their likes and dislikes. Art Therapy gives people the space to safely externalise and process their emotions.
These are just a few moving moments that show the power of Art Therapy. I am so thankful for the opportunity to empower the elderly through Art Therapy. They gain artwork, confidence, and more. They gain the chance to reminisce, make friends, and connect with their inner being and loved ones.
Some Questions to Consider
- In what ways do you connect with the elderly in your life?
- How can creativity strengthen your relationships?
- What creative activities did your elderly loved one used to enjoy, and what do they like doing now?
Grace Randall is an Art Therapist empowering residents with dementia and/or physical disabilities to awaken self-confidence, exercise fine motor skills, and express themselves through creativity. Through introducing art therapy into a daily regime it enhances their wellbeing.
Grace is passionate about creating ways for people to express themselves, regularly facilitates creative workshops and is an experienced meditation facilitator. Connect with Grace on LinkedIn.
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