Art serves as a transformative tool for virtually everyone, but especially those with memory disorders. Stimulating the brain by engaging in activities like drawing, painting, and crafting encourages focus and cognitive control. Art draws the attention away from harsh past and future realities, pulling the focus instead to the simplicity of the moment where only connection and creation matter.
Now that you know why art matters to loved ones at Bethesda Gardens Loveland, let's explore some simple activities perfect for those in Colorado memory care communities.
Perfect for beginner artists, watercolors give you and your loved ones a beautifully forgiving way to experiment with color. The smooth motions of the brush and fluid nature of the paint create a calming atmosphere by reducing frustration when things don't turn out as expected.
To get started, set up a space with watercolor paper, brushes and some basic paints, and encourage your loved one to play with their favorite colors and blend their own shades. Because this activity is all about self-expression, let your loved one set a theme for their art like florals, landscapes or abstract designs, and encourage them to keep going regardless of the outcome.
Creating collages enables freedom of expression without the need for complex supplies or fine motor skills, making it a relaxing activity that's free from the pressure of perfection. Great for those who love working with their hands, collages let your loved one sort through magazines, postcards, stickers and ephemera packs and then affix them to poster boards or canvases with glue sticks. This intuitive art form doesn't require precision — just choosing colors and images your loved one likes and arranging them however they want.
The calming, meditative qualities of adult coloring books — not to mention the nostalgia factor — make coloring an ideal activity for loved ones with memory care disorders. Everyone remembers coloring as a child, so muscle memory often kicks in while they're enjoying this repetitive, rhythmic activity.
Grab some adult coloring books with large, clear designs, such as simple animal or nature scenes or patterns like mandalas, and pick out some crayons, colored pencils or washable markers to get started. Sit together with your loved one and color, chatting as you go or sharing companionable silence as you simply enjoy the moment.
Hands-on experiences like clay modeling give residents of memory care communities a creative, soothing way to express their feelings via art. Suitable for those who enjoy tactile engagement, air-dry clay found at virtually any craft store lets your loved ones roll, pinch and shape objects like flowers, bowls or animals. They don't have to make anything complex to enjoy the experience of feeling the clay between their fingers and palms, and it has the added benefit of enhancing their fine motor skills while creating freely.
Finger painting isn't just for kids — adults with memory disorders and their loved ones can also indulge in this sensory experience. The act of dipping your fingers into color and smoothing it over paper lets them play with shades and hues, even if their fine motor skills aren't up to the task of holding brushes or pencils. All you need for this art activity is nontoxic finger paints and some large sheets of paper. You can chat with your loved one while they paint or add your own touches when you want a fun, collaborative way to spend time together and a beautiful keepsake to treasure down the road.
If a blank canvas or paper intimidates your loved one, try guided drawing or tracing activities. Get some decorative stencils, markers and paper, and let them trace outlines of the shapes, animals or objects. Print some templates and encourage them to follow the lines and then add color and shapes to the piece. You can sit alongside them and provide gentle guidance while they enjoy the process of creation and enhance their hand-eye coordination.
These creative activities help you develop meaningful connections, nurture strong bonds and ensure you can treasure your time together and create new moments to cherish, even as older memories fade.
