Why art?
Getting involved in arts and crafts has been shown to be:
Engaging – helps with focus and concentrate and relieves boredom
Sociable – especially when working with or alongside others in a group
Pleasurable and fun – the act of creating something is in itself a joyous activity
Calming – creating something reduces anxiety
Communal – joining a local art or crafts activity group means engaging with a wider community
Purposeful – finding something enjoyable that results in creating something is meaningful
Supportive – taking part in arts and crafts with someone brings social benefits for both the person living with dementia and you, too
Expressive – art is a powerful way for someone to share how their feeling
There are many other benefits, depending on what art activity is chosen and what kind of symptoms the person you’re caring for might be experiencing. For example, some people have problems with speech but have no problem saying what they need to say via painting or poetry. Others find that they’re not able to use their hands like they used to, but can block paint or finger knit.
For people living with short-term memory problems, accessing longer term memories as they recall activities they loved as a child or in their younger years brings happiness and joy.
Arts activities to try
Painting, sketching or colouring with an adult colouring book
Decorating wooden furniture, painting pots and bird boxes
Writing and/or reading poetry
Knitting and crochet – including finger knitting
Pottery and clay modelling
Photography
Needlecraft, sewing, felting etc
Card making
Creating collages from various materials e.g. paper, sand, shells, fabric
Origami or paper work
Block painting and clay stamping
Flower pressing
Decoupage
–See what arty activities others find beneficial by sharing ideas in our discussion forum
–Find arts and crafts activities and groups in your area here