The Therapeutic Benefits of Sculpture for Seniors

Senior wellness involves many factors, including balanced nutrition, communication, and daily exercise. Did you know that creativity is also integral to mental wellness?

Research studies from the Mayo Clinic found that art can increase serotonin levels, boost optimism, and improve cognitive health by increasing blood flow to the brain. Within a senior wellness setting, the health benefits of art are fostered through professional art therapy, memory care programs, and recreation programs.

Family sculpture therapy is one example of art therapy that helps individuals recall memories, explore emotions, and manage senior depression and anxiety. Family members can also participate to help seniors improve tactile memory and build new memories. Creating new memories helps older adults reconnect with lost memories.

Discover even more benefits of sculpture classes for senior therapy.

Improve Socialization through Art

Senior isolation is a common issue among aging adults. Several factors can cause a decrease in socialization, including becoming a widower, retirement, family relocation, and health issues. Senior classes help older adults come out of their shells and discover new skills with fellow seniors.

Even being around people can make a big difference. Class discussions about art provide seniors with a chance to express themselves. Gradually, seniors can strike up conversations and build social networks.

This is a great way to learn about more art classes. Seniors could even form an art club centered on a shared interest.

Seniors can take art classes in the following ways:

• In person at local colleges and universities
• Local libraries
• Recreation centers
• Art fairs and state fairs
• Pottery painting shops
• Sip and paint classes
• Museum classes and events
• Online courses

There are a growing number of platforms online that offer art classes. Seniors can join live art sessions and make art at home while meeting new seniors online. There are also discussion boards where older adults can connect with fellow seniors through art.

Popular learning online platforms for seniors include Coursera, EdX, and AARP's Senior Planet. The third option is designed for seniors and offers everything from live meet-and-greets to sculpture classes.

Build Skills to Improve Confidence and Outcomes

Seniors who continue to enroll in sculpture classes can earn a degree from a local college or university art program. A degree could lead to a teaching position in retirement, mentorship, or gallery shows. Senior art programs also hold gallery shows where older students can showcase their work.

Seniors can submit sculptures to state fairs and local shows for awards and recognition. This is an excellent way to network with fellow senior artisans and local artists. Online galleries are also open to submissions.

Senior artists should consider joining local organizations focused on art. Opportunities may include museums, cultural centers, local libraries, and other institutions. Seniors are encouraged to apply as docents to museums to further immerse themselves in their passion.

With more experience, senior artists can start selling art at local shops, galleries, and art fairs. Sculpture lends itself well to functional art such as dishware, candle holders, ceramic containers, and paperweights. Online platforms like Etsy also welcome senior artists to sell their work.

Retirement is the perfect time to consider new business and investment opportunities. Perform market research to see if the community would welcome a new art gallery. Artists can also open pop shops or rent a table at a craft fair or farmers market.

Give the Gift of Art to Boost Senior Mental Wellness

Creating homemade gifts for loved ones is a creative way to boost serotonin levels while building memories with family. Family members love seeing senior loved ones thrive in a new skill. Seniors and families could even create gifts together through family sculpture therapy.

There are different types of sculpture to consider:

• Pottery wheel creations
• Slab work ceramics
• Clay sculptures by hand
• Multimedia sculptures (various materials)
• Nature sculptures
• Textile sculptures
• Paper mache and paper crafts
• Diorama art

Sculpture offers endless creative possibilities. Seniors can also take up model-making as a form of sculpture. Projects include model railroads, model towns, miniature cars, and others.

Discover Family Sculpture Therapy In a Senior Community

Transitioning to a senior living community presents even more opportunities to experience sculpture. Even better, seniors can enjoy the benefits of art therapy in a community setting. These communities bring seniors together who are on a shared journey.

Senior living communities post monthly activity calendars. Residents can attend creative sessions throughout the week while attending other art classes outside the community or online.

Activity calendars also have social hours where senior residents get to know each other. This is a great way to bond over a shared interest in art. This could lead to group art sessions and gift-making days in the community.

Residents in the memory care program participate in art therapy sessions to improve cognitive health. Working with one's hands improves senior motor skills while helping seniors connect with past memories of making art. Textile sculptures like knitted sculptures or crochet are particularly beneficial in this area.

Visiting family members are encouraged to attend community art sessions to create art gifts together. This is a wonderful project to consider for Grandparent's Day, senior birthdays, or even the holidays. Making Christmas tree ornaments is another form of sculpture.

Seniors and families can sculpt picture frames from clay, wood, paper mache, and other sculpture materials. Polymer clay is a great choice; it comes in a wide spectrum of colors and can be oven-baked into hard picture frames.

Improve Senior Wellness through Sculpture

Sculpture can be expressed in a variety of ways, from functional to fine art. Consider different avenues available to discover and showcase art. A senior living community like Allegheny is perfect for seniors to discover family sculpture therapy for cognitive health, lifelong learning, and socialization.

Our community, located in Penn Hills, is surrounded by a vibrant local culture committed to education, art, great food, and conversation. Our team is staffed by experienced senior living professionals committed to the wellness of every resident.

Book a tour of our unique community, or contact us today to talk more about senior living.