Memory loss can cause distressing symptoms, but engaging in enjoyable, meaningful activities often helps people with dementia achieve calm while supporting cognitive functions. Arts and crafts are powerful tools for unlocking memories, strengthening relationships and boosting communication, and there are dementia-friendly options to suit every preference. Let's explore how arts and crafts benefit people with memory loss and discover ways to share artistic activities with a loved one.
Participating in arts and crafts can offer relief from the symptoms of Alzheimer's and other types of dementia and improve quality of life. Many older adults experience the following benefits.
Research shows that strong emotional bonds with family members and caregivers help people with dementia maintain a better sense of self and personhood. However, Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia can make it harder to maintain high-quality relationships as memory loss progresses. Symptoms such as irritability and forgetting names may cause relationship difficulties, but creative activities like arts and crafts can help reduce barriers.
A large-scale study in Welsh memory care communities discovered a strong link between creative activities and improved relationships. During this study, caregivers encouraged seniors to participate in creative activities such as music, photography and art and reflected on how the practice affected their relationships.
The program offered multiple benefits, including encouraging caregivers to move away from a more impersonal, task-based model of care. Instead, spontaneous arts-based activities allowed high-quality relationships to flourish, enabling caregivers to better understand the experiences and perspectives of people with dementia.
Dementia causes changes in the brain, leading to communication difficulties as the disease progresses. When verbal communication becomes difficult, exploring new communication methods can help seniors with memory loss express themselves.
Arts and crafts can provide a powerful communication tool for seniors with memory loss, especially if they struggle with expressive language. Creative activities provide excellent brain stimulation and support people in expressing their thoughts and emotions. According to the American Art Therapy Association, creating art provides a nonverbal communication medium for people with language processing difficulties, allowing them to establish meaningful dialogues with those around them and reducing feelings of social isolation.
Many people with dementia experience anxiety, and there are several potential causes. Damage to the parts of the brain associated with emotional regulation, worries about health and relationships and even medications used to manage memory loss can all make anxiety more likely.
Arts and crafts activities help reduce anxiety symptoms by improving self-confidence and reducing the need for certain medications. Research shows that creating and sharing artwork with others helps create a livelier, more interactive atmosphere, reducing agitation and improving sleep. While arts-based activities don't necessarily offer immediate relief from anxiety, regular participation could help promote calm over time.
Enjoying arts and crafts can help people with memory loss preserve their cognitive functions as long as possible. In fact, certain activities could even improve cognition and support seniors in accessing memories. For example, a study examining the effect of creating collages while reminiscing about important memories determined that the activity stimulates cognition and may slow down memory loss.
A large-scale literature review on the impact of art on seniors found that artistic activities significantly reduce cognitive decline while improving quality of life. According to the researchers, engaging in creative activities boosts cognition by improving brain function, reducing stress and providing regular brain stimulation.
Any arts and crafts project can be enjoyable and beneficial for someone with memory loss, but you may need to make adjustments to support your loved one's success. Art preferences are deeply personal, and considering the person's interests and preferences can help you choose an activity that resonates with them.
The Alzheimer's Association recommends choosing adult-level activities and avoiding crafts that could seem childish or undignified. Make sure the person has space to complete their project at their own pace, potentially planning several sessions so they don't feel rushed. To ensure safety, avoid sharp tools that could cause injury and choose nontoxic paints and materials.
Sharing activities with a group of family or friends can help spark conversations and maintain treasured relationships. Many people with memory loss enjoy activities that combine arts and crafts with reminiscence, exploring memories while creating artwork. For example, you could suggest using different art mediums to recreate a special memory or represent a much-loved person.
If your loved one has a particular crafting skill, consider supporting them in sharing it with younger family members. Familiar activities can comfort people with memory loss and may help spark reminiscence. Alternatively, the following projects can be a great starting point for enjoying art together:
Whatever arts and crafts activities you enjoy with your loved one, it's important to promote their autonomy by supporting them in creating art their way. Encourage them by focusing on their strengths and offering help if they struggle with a particular activity.
