Arts education has been shown to be incredibly important and valuable for young people, which is why most schools include some element of art. However, as we get older, it’s common for people to push the arts aside as they progress in their schooling and careers. It’s easy to get busy and stop pursuing the hobbies you had when you were a child.
This is the idea at the heart of creative ageing. Just as art can make for a fun, happy, and exciting childhood, it can do the same for people as they get older. Creative ageing refers to using the arts to express yourself as you move through the ageing process.
Benefits of the Creative Ageing Movement
It is well known that people of all ages can experience great emotional benefits from working with art. Artistic hobbies give seniors a sense of meaning and importance in the world. It’s common for people to feel a bit lost after they retire since their days are no longer taken up by work. When they pursue a hobby in the arts, seniors feel productive and see measurable progress as they practice a skill.
This often has incredible social benefits as well. Many seniors take classes to learn a new skill or join groups to practice their hobbies with. These group activities provide great opportunities for seniors to meet new people. It also makes it easier for people to feel confident when they strike up a conversation with someone new since they already know they’ve got something in common.
Many people also experience positive physical effects from taking on a hobby in the arts. Activities like painting, drawing, playing music, and others often calm us down and can have an almost meditative effect. This can play a big role in stress reduction, which leads to better health overall. Creative ageing is also said to be incredibly beneficial for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain injuries. Working on creative projects stimulates the mind and can allow people to express themselves in ways they might not be able to otherwise.
Types of Creative Ageing Activities
We often think of art solely as things like painting, drawing, or sculpture. However, the world of the arts is so much bigger! Listening to music, writing, photography, dancing, learning a new instrument, or even doing physical activities like yoga or tai chi all fall under the creative ageing umbrella. It pretty much includes anything that engages the creative portion of your brain and allows for personal expression.
How Bria Communities Supports Creative Ageing
There are a ton of activities included in creative ageing, and at Bria Communities, we pretty much offer them all! There are a number of groups created and run by our residents that provide a place for them to get together and practice their hobbies together. This gives them the freedom to do what they love and share these passions with other residents. This includes things like knitting groups, scrapbooking, and much more!
We also offer group classes, where experts will come in and teach a new skill to residents. This gives everyone a chance to try something new and challenge themselves. We offer a wide variety of these classes and programs, including things like writing contests, flower arranging, palette board painting, seasonal wreath making, watercolour instruction, splatter painting, costume making, and drama club. We encourage all our residents to join in on programs and clubs that interest them and provide a fun and friendly environment for them to learn in.
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