The Benefits of Art Therapy and Home Care

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of therapy that encourages people to express and understand their emotions through artistic expression and through the creative process. Caregivers can encourage and assist the homebound individual in art therapy, making the home care experience even more enjoyable for everyone involved.

How can Art therapy be beneficial to older adults?

According to the American Art Therapy Association, for older adults, art therapy helps individuals cope with complex age-related issues including mental and physical illness or limitation, lifestyle transition, end of life decisions, grief, expression and communication.

With these key benefits in mind, you can see why Art Therapy can be beneficial to the elderly community and especially patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers of clients with Alzheimer’s disease can have many highly stressful and frustrating days.  As a home care professional, participating in art therapy with the one they care for can be a relaxing experience.

There was a case study done in 2011 documenting the effects of the disease on a patient named Mr. Z. Mr. Z was diagnosed with moderate stage Alzheimer’s disease. During a visit at the Alzheimer Disease Societies (ADSC) monthly meeting for patients and families alike with Alzheimer’s disease, Mr. Z was evaluated and advised to participate in the Art Therapy they had available, due to his behavioral issues. Symptoms from AD include memory loss, difficulty communicating, personality changes, inappropriate behavior, paranoia, agitations and hallucinations. Due to the enormous effect that AD has on not only the patient but the family as well, sometimes pharmacological treatments are administered. In Mr. Z’s case he was treated with the anti-dementia drugs which caused behavioral issues. His primary caregiver, his wife, did not want to use antipsychotics for his issue due to a greater chance of more side effects. So she decided to explore the Art Therapy suggestion, which would be provided with his daily care. The Art work displayed by Mr. Z shows great concentration and creativity! It is not realistic, but abstract. It presents you with great emotion and frustration that Mr. Z was experiencing internally. The therapy seemed to have helped the patient with his own self-discovery and it also gave him a sense of empowerment and stress relief. His family and doctors were excited with the outcome of the therapy. Keep in mind that Mr. Z was never an artist let alone drew anything his whole life, yet he drew with great creativity and while drawing he has a tranquil calmness about himself. The Art Therapy helped greatly with not only his behavioral issues but also with his day to day life.

Absolute Care Management employs the best caregivers with the biggest hearts for home care. Each and every individual who works for Absolute Care always wants the best for their clients. If there are any ways to help a person with Alzheimer’s or a Dementia related disease, we strive to offer helping hands. Art Therapy is one of those ways that we are willing to help with. All you need is a blank canvas, a brush or pencil, and a little bit of time to let creativity loose! Art Therapy may be beneficial for stress related issues in people with dementia, but it also works for everyday people or people with other illnesses. It is an expression used since the beginning of time.