When most of us think of therapy, we think of sitting down and talking to a therapist about our feelings. But talk therapy is not the only therapy that can improve mental health. There’s medication therapy, yoga therapy, music therapy, meditation, art therapy, and more. Art therapy is nothing new. Art has been used to promote self-expression and minimize anxiety for thousands of years. But the term was not coined until 1943 by Margaret Naumburg. Today, art therapy is still prescribed in mental health circles. Coloring, painting, sculpting, and even looking at art in museums can help people get in touch with their feeling and reduce stress. It is beneficial to people of all ages. This article will focus on how art therapy helps seniors and how it can be encouraged through Home Health Care Agencies in Montgomery County, PA.
How Art Therapy Benefits Seniors
Improves Mental Health: Many seniors deal with mental health issues due to declining health and isolation. They may feel anxious and depressed. Art therapy offers a calm environment that relieves anxiety. It also gives seniors a sense of accomplishment that reduces depression.
Boosts Cognition: Seniors often deal with failing memory. Art therapy forces them to use their minds and keep their memory sharp. It makes it easier for them to form neural connections that may have slowed down with age.
Keeps Motor Skills Sharp: When people age, they may experience impartments due to changes in their muscles, nerves, joints, and central nervous system. Art therapy forces seniors to use their motor skills and keep them sharp. They will be less likely to become impaired over time.
Interaction with Others: Seniors who want to engage in art therapy may attend an art class or join a community group. They will interact with others. The social interaction will reduce feelings of isolation and benefit their mental health.
Reduction of Pain: When people experience pain, they may not want to move. But certain kinds of movement will increase circulation and reduce pain. Art therapy forces seniors to move their hands, which can reduce arthritis pain in the joints. Furthermore, the treatment improves mood and increases serotonin levels minimizing pain.
Better Self-Expression: Seniors may have difficulty expressing themselves due to age-related disabilities. Art allows them to express themselves differently. It helps them deal with repressed feelings.
How Home Health Care Agencies in Montgomery County, PA, Can Encourage Art Therapy
Home Health Care Services in Montgomery County, PA, can encourage your loved one to engage in art therapy. A caregiver can bring art supplies to the home so clients can fill their days with painting, sculpting, and other enriching art activities. Or they can take them to community centers for art classes.
Family Cares is recommended for Home Health Care Agencies in Montgomery County, PA. We offer various services that provide your loved one with the comprehensive care they require. Programs like FamilyCaresCom, SafePartnerCheck, and FamilyMatch ensure your loved one will access a high level of care from an aide they feel comfortable with.
Contact Family Cares to discover more about our life-improving services.
