As you may or may not know, one of the biggest factors of retirement communities like Morada Albuquerque is the offering of creative activities. From arts and crafts classes to music clubs, there’s a wide range of creative pursuits that older adults can try their hands on in order to bring out their artistic sides. This is in line with the modern advancements in elderly care. Long are the days when elder care solely focuses on physical health. Now, we strive to provide a holistic lifestyle for all our elderly loved ones, in which their mental, social, emotional, and spiritual health are also addressed. As such, here are some reasons why the elderly should be creative.
Provides a Sense of Purpose
For your elderly loved ones, being retired prevents them from having many responsibilities in their lives, which will cause them to feel a lack of purpose. This makes them experience boredom, dissatisfaction, and anxiety more often. However, by taking part in creative classes, they now have something to look forward to each day, be it learning a new skill or solving problems. Over time, participants may find themselves having more self-confidence, satisfaction, and self-acceptance, all of which boost their mental health.
Improves Cognitive Health
For years, medical professionals have recommended older adults, especially those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, take part in creative programs. This is because multiple studies have shown that being creative helps enhance brain health. This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise since creative activities engage the mind and encourage the participant to think outside of the box. As the mind is challenged, neuron connections will improve and brain cells are developed. Therefore, creative activities allow your loved ones to work towards a healthier and more sustainable brain.
Allows for Socialization
Statistics have shown that more and more elderly people are getting socially isolated and lonely. Whether it’s due to the loss of their spouse or friends along the way, social isolation can be hugely detrimental to one’s physical and mental health. Another possible cause can be a lack of access and resources to interact with other people. However, by attending creative classes, your loved ones now have the opportunities to mingle around and form new friendships. What’s more, the people they mix around with are likely to share the same interests and passions with them, making interaction much easier.
Improves Well-Being
If your loved ones do not have a task or responsibility to attend to, they can quickly find themselves being unproductive and having a lack of interest in life. All these can decrease their well-being and quality of life, leading to them potentially taking up unhealthy lifestyle habits and even developing health complications. As such, participating in creative classes allow them to have a more positive outlook on life and be more optimistic. In addition, medical professionals have seen a direct correlation between a healthy mind and a strong immune system. If older adults are happy and have fewer stresses to worry about, they are in much better health and have the energy to fend off illnesses and diseases.
