Memories That Matter

Description

 Creative Arts Therapy for the elderly and in Aged Care                             

Creative Arts Therapy is an enjoyable, playful, constructive way to enrich our elderly and their communities. Studies have shown that individuals who experience the therapeutic benefits of the creative arts have fewer doctor’s visits, better physical health, and require less medication. Research has demonstrated that creative arts decrease rates of loneliness and depression, along with inducing higher morale.

CATA’s Creative Arts Therapy in aged care creates non-judgemental, inclusive environments for residents to express themselves in spontaneous and fun ways. Creative Arts transcends language, offering universal, nonverbal means of communication through art, drama, music, dance, and movement. CATA’s facilitation of Creative Arts Therapies supports the sharing of lived experiences, reignites passions, and aids in memory recall. Our Creative Arts Therapists witness our elderly regain a sense of belonging and feel validated as a direct result of creative arts therapy.

Proven Outcomes

• Improves Memory
• Reduces Pain
• Improves brain function, i.e., fine motor skills, and coordination
• Provides a sense of accomplishment
• Increases self-esteem
• Acknowledgement & Validation
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Stimulates focus
• Reduced Depression
• Relief from Chronic conditions
• Enhances social skills through group artwork/art making
• Resolves frustrations through the safety of art making
• Increase communication and socialisation
• Express feelings nonverbally
• Meaning-making and life review

CATA’s vision includes developing intergenerational programs where family members, relatives, and friends will be invited to join in creative arts with their loved ones. We are open to expressions of interest from family members and aged care facilities.  

Supporting Scientific Evidence

Therapist Doric Henry-Lee (Massachusetts) found that 20 older adults with various impairments who learned Eastern Method pottery experienced less depression and anxiety and improved self-esteem.  The control group of 20 who did not take art therapy saw no improvements.

A joint study between universities in Sussex and London found that over ten weeks, a group of Alzheimer’s patients that took art therapy sessions improved their cognitive abilities and reduced their feelings of depression.  The control group, which socialised and talked but did not take art therapy, saw no benefits.

Dr. Bruce Miller (University of California) ran a study that concluded that art and musical abilities could improve even when a patient has a condition causing language loss. New pathways in the brain can still form, helping the patient to enjoy creativity.