Page 4 - November News 2025

How Can Arts and Crafts Benefit Seniors? 3. Providing a Sense of Purpose
While retiring from a long career has many positive
Arts and crafts have positive effects on everyone, no aspects, it also comes with a whole new set of challenges.
matter the age, but they are particularly good for seniors Getting up every day and going to work gives you a sense
for several reasons, including physical and mental health, of purpose, but with retirement, this is suddenly gone.
motor skills, and boosting self-esteem. This can lead to feeling lost and wondering what your
Here are some of the main benefits of art therapy on purpose now is. Taking part in creative activities opens
the quality of life for seniors that I learned from my re- the door to learning new skills and provides a sense of
search. Arts & health are closely linked. accomplishment when completing an art project

1. Improve Mental Health 4. Improves Physical Health
Seniors who no Not only do craft
longer work can face activities improve a
challenges such as senior’s sense of identi-
dealing with illness, ty and provide health
memory loss, and benefits, but they also
isolation. All of this have been shown to
can increase anxiety improve physical
and depression. health.
A study published Crafts activities re-
in the Journal of the sulted in a “higher
American Art Thera- overall rating of physi-
py Association found cal health, fewer doc-
that participants that tor visits, less medica-
spent just 45 tion use, fewer instanc-
minutes taking part es of falls, and fewer
in craft activities other health problems”
showed a reduction according to previous
in the stress hor- studies published in
mone cortisol. the Gerontologist.
This was tested by Explore a variety of
taking a blood sam- engaging and fun crafts
ple from the participants to measure cortisol levels. for senior citizens in nursing homes with our video,
The beneficial effects of reducing stress can include im- “Entertaining Crafts for Senior Citizens in Nursing
proving your mood, reducing the risk of depression, and Homes!”
giving you a sense of achievement.
5. Helps Boost Self Confidence
Seniors dealing with a decline in their physical and/or
2. Socializing and Forming New Friendships cognitive ability can suffer from a loss of self-confidence. I
Another one of the great benefits of arts and crafts for noticed this with my aunt, who could no longer physically
seniors is that it provides a way for seniors to meet oth- take part in the outdoor activities she loved.
ers, especially if they are no longer able to take part in Crafts activities can help seniors find something that
more physical activities. they can create and complete. It helps them feel like they
These activities for seniors are usually held in groups, so can still successfully achieve something, giving them a
there are lots of opportunities to socialize and make new boost of self-confidence.
friends.It is a wonderful way to provide senior citizens When my aunt joined a craft group at her local senior
with a more active social life when they are facing in- center, I quickly saw her spark for life come back. Since
creased isolation and loneliness due to mobility issues. then, she’s been exploring all kinds of creative pursuits.
This is also one of the benefits of dance, another activi-
ty seniors of many abilities can take part in.