Art Therapy on the Elderly: North Carolina

The older population is set to increase within the next 20 years, nearly one in five Americans will be over the age of 65 by 2030. This means that the number of physical and mental impairments will rise, rather intrinsic or through natural aging. Since North Carolina is one of the top states for retirement, there is a need to incorporate a process for therapeutic and socialization to combat this large population increase, especially since the state’s elder population is set to double by 2030. The ideal program to do so is art therapy because of the numerous psychological and physiological benefits it has on the elderly. For psychological, the cognitive benefits help activate brain activity and keep minds sharp. Elderly that suffer with memory loss or memory loss conditions, such as Alzheimer’s benefit from art therapy because it can help reduce the development rate of memory loss, and increase communication and self-expression. Mental health is also impacted, as art therapy can help create a positive mood and attitude, decreasing anxiety and depression. The physiological benefits include: improvement of motor skills and function, which results from an increase of blood flow, increased socialization and playfulness. For these reasons, those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease greatly benefit from this form of therapy. The ability of self-identity, self-expression, and self-discovery are possible outcomes as well. Art therapy is easily accessible, and can be used in individual and group settings. Art therapy can also be broken down into many parts: pottery, mandalas, painting, finger painting, doodling, scribbling, sculpting, drawing, carving, using textiles, collages, and jewelry making. All of these common techniques can be used in both verbal and non-verbal contexts as well. Pottery being one that is prominently discussed, based upon research. In total, art therapy not only helps both physically and mentally, but through lengthening life and improving quality of life.

Art has been used as a means for activity and refining of motor skills for many years in elderly homes. However, art therapy has recently become trendy within elderly patients, despite the setbacks of art being labeled as a child’s activity, or patients worrying that their are not skills are not up-to-par. Art therapy uses different creative processes as a form of therapy (noted in the introductory paragraph). These different processed can be individualized based on age, medical conditions, feelings, or even interests. The American Art Therapy Association has a much lengthier definition for art therapy, it is defined as, “an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship” (American Art Therapy Association). Art therapy “is used to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change” (American Art Therapy Association). The entire sphere of art therapy is not able to be discussed in this paper, rather some key factors such as the benefits, impacts, and techniques.

First, art therapy can fall under two categories: art as therapy and art in therapy. Art as therapy is mainly just the creative process. Artists and healthcare workers are the ones who tend to focus on this form of art therapy. It means being assisted in diving into self-expression, creativity, and imagination. Providers of the art as therapy approach typically do not need a form of higher education, but can be trained through classes/workshops. On the contrary, art in therapy incorporates art and clinical psychology. This method requires a master’s degree, where the provider becomes a certified art therapist. An art therapist, “pursues therapeutic objectives for the identified client or the group as a whole” (Bagan 16). The outcome of the two methods is expression and creativity, which can lead to both psychological and physiological benefits. However, art in therapy means the art therapist can “facilitate the mind-body connection that supports healing and recovery” (Bagan 16). Art therapy is used in both contexts throughout this paper, with the benefits being more from art in therapy, but more available programing being art as therapy.

The psychology benefits behind art therapy come from the ability for the individual undergoing art therapy to express feelings through creative works. This expression does not require any verbal skills, which is what makes the therapy so unique. Especially if it is hard for the patient to communicate, or painful to speak about past events; art therapy can work beyond this. The entire process improves the patients communication, through his/her own thoughts and creative abilities, enabling the patient to do whatever they so please. While this is happening the patient undergoing treatment is concentrated, enabling the brain to produce new neural pathways and stronger dendrites. This “causes the brain to reshape, adapt, and restructure, thus expanding the potential to increase brain reserve capacity” (Bagan 4). These changes enable both sides of the brain to work, making prior intelligence gained throughout the years pop-up and work with the current aging brain. Additionally, the feeling of accomplishing art-work enables patients to feel less isolated and “leads to increases in self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness” (Good Therapy 10). Other benefits from this therapeutic exercise are: relaxation, control, reduction of depression and anxiety, socialization (particularly when in a group setting), playfulness, spirituality, and combating boredom. Art therapy is greatly needed in the elderly community to not only improve the overall moral and quality of life through the psychological aspect, but specifically targeting individuals struck with memory loss, Alzeihmer’s disease, and even schizophrenia. Today, “5.8 million American’s are living with Alzheimer's Disease,” the number is set to increase to “14 million by the year 2050” (Alzeihmer’s Association). The impact art therapy has on Alzeihmer’s Disease can greatly impact the elderly community, especially with the influx of elderly by 2030.

The physiological benefits come from the patient having to focus on one task of the many techniques available (pottery, painting, drawing, ect.). All of these techniques require light physical exertion which “helps to improve coordination and increases blood flow, which may improve dexterity in the hands, wrists, and fingers” (Bethany Village 3). This impacts the elderly by helping with “arthritis and other joint conditions” (Bethany Village 3). Art therapy, specifically in the form of dance and theatre can aid in treatment for “diseases and injuries of the nervous and musculoskeletal system” (Paskaleva, Uzunova 1). The main aspect to this treatment is the fact that it distracts the patient, so they do not realize they are doing physical activities. As a result, the body’s locomotive and cardiovascular systems are worked, helping the aging process. The improvement of these bodily systems allows the patient to feel better physically and even psychologically. The repetition of certain movements and exercises may allow the patient to work through personal problems, forming a habit. Once becoming a habit, the patient is unconsciously affecting their overall health and well-being. For patients with Parkinson’s disease, “the second-most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder” (Naqvi), a mind-body connection is formed through art therapy. This connection creates a “safe space” where the patient is able to “find the ability to relax and shift the focus away from their disability” (Parkinson’s disease 10). The physical benefits of art therapy shed light into the large impact it can have on the elderly community, whether by slowing down the aging process or by helping the elderly cope with common diseases.

One medium used in art therapy is pottery. A study of 40 residents in a nursing home was conducted by Doric-Henry. The participants suffered from a variety of psychological and physical impairments, ranging from different levels. Doric-Henry’s study specifically targeted how pottery affected depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. By using the pottery wheel for his experiment, he found that those who began the study with high levels of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem were greatly affected. They had a large reduction of depression and anxiety, with an increase in self-esteem. Those who began the study with high self-esteem and low levels of depression and anxiety were not really changed. The CLUES’ Aging Well Program also incorporated a ceramics workshop, giving 12+ participants the opportunity to learn and create a piece to take home. This was done at the St. Catherine University. The seniors that took part reported immediate contact with clay provided a feeling of comfort. Despite the multiple tries it took the participants to form what they wanted, they were said to be “smiling and content throughout the workshop” (Pleguezuelos 2). Justina, a participant in CLUES’ Aging Well Program said, “Doing this kind of activity reminded me of back home” (Pleguezuelos 4). Despite the small participant size of both of these examples, pottery in the form of art therapy is proved to be beneficial in the elderly population. In the two examples above, the psychological and physical benefits were discussed by improving mental health and providing a sense of comfort from just touching the clay. Perhaps the most important outcome is the sense of meaning the elderly feel and find when interacting with art. Throughout the aging process, self-meaning and self-worth is often questioned, especially with retirement, psychological, and physical impairments. Art therapy, in this case through pottery is just one of the many forms that help to improve a person’s well-being.

In North Carolina specifically, The Center for Creative Aging has recognized the need and effectiveness of art on the elderly. Their motto is “enhancing the well-being of older people in North Carolina through creative arts programming, education and training” (Creative Aging Network-NC). The center works to get in touch with the elderly in a variety of areas: through assisted living facilities, recreation centers, libraries, and ect. The most recent annual report from CAN-NC shows that, “In 2015, 138 classes for over 200 adults” were provided (Creative Aging Network-NC 2). Their creative programs specifically help the eldery by: “reducing falls, medication & doctor visits, challenging the mind, increasing social connections, reducing stress, building self-confidence, providing meaning & purpose, and honoring skills & voices” (Creative Aging Network-NC 2). This program is very effective, making sure the elderly are able to access art therapy throughout the state of North Carolina. If more programs like this were started and implemented (not only in North Carolina), but throughout the United States, it would make a tremendous impact on the elderly and the large age-wave that is soon to come.

When art therapy is broken down, it has two separate meanings: art and therapy. The therapy component refers to the remediation of a problem or medical condition. The art portion is more open-ended and can relate to anything intangible or tangible that can be molded. This process not only molds the work of art that is being created, but the creator and those around them as well. When stepping back, the creator can see this, in return, improving their own quality of life and well-being. When applying this to the elderly, it gives them a sense of purpose in their life. This is critical because many older adults feel that there is nothing left to be fulfilled because they have already experienced all that life has to offer. Seeing this personal change in their own life, can lead them to impact others, whether through their art work or talking about their personal experience. However, in order to incorporate this in a majority of the elderly population, communities and centers for the elderly need to have an arts focused culture. A culture with an art focus is crucial when the silver tsunami hits, because it offers a way the elderly can communicate and express themselves, which gives back to the community. Imagine a community where the elderly are sharing their past experiences, knowledge, and struggles for others to see and learn from. This would not only affect their generation, but the generations behind them. This would be a chain effect that would increase the values and needs of aging. Perhaps the stereotype that aging is bad would be gone, and it would offer the aging population to feel like they now have a new purpose that is giving back to the community and generations to come.

Art therapy, without a doubt, proves to be an excellent program to incorporate when thinking of the large influx of the elderly by the year 2030. One major reason is the psychological and physiological benefits art therapy has on the elderly. Aging, isolation, memory loss, and depression are just a few issues that the elder population face, which art therapy can improve. Additionally, art therapy helps with chronic degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. These two diseases being the top two most common disease among the elderly in the United States. With each affecting over one million people, art therapy provides treatment and a coping mechanism when many view that their life has no hope. Art therapy can also increase socialization and form communities within assisted living facilities and senior centers. Likewise, programs like the Center for Creative Aging in NC do so through the community, in local libraries, museums, and galleries. The treatment for art therapy is so unique, because it can be individualized based upon the person, or within a group setting. Those struggling with Alzeihmer’s or Parkinson’s disease have the ability to be placed in an individual or group therapy session. The group session would allow the participants to share common feelings and issues they are facing, giving them an outlet to vent to and relate with. This is another example of a type of a community that art therapy has the ability to build. By forming these individual communities around art/art therapy, a culture is formed. This culture being one centered around art, which is what is needed to be done in order for the elderly community to incorporate art therapy. A culture of the arts would increase the value of aging, as well as make the needs of the aging population well known. Stereotypes of aging would be broken down, making the general population less nervous about growing older. The silver tsunami would be able to start this new culture, causing the generations behind them to follow suit. In return, the generations to come will be able to learn from the knowledge the generations before them expressed through art. Art therapy is the ideal program to start this movement and improve the elderly.