Numerical art improves cognitive wellness among seniors
plaatst in 2014, I joined a community choir in my area. Prior to that, my singing was limited to belting it out in the shower or with the car windows open on a sunny day.
Fast forward to now, ten years later, and that community choir has become the centerpiece of my life. Picking up the microphone and belting out magnificent tunes with my fellow "chorus comrades" isn't just a pastime - it's my blessed sanity.It's relieved me of my occasional bouts of depression, given me a sense of community, and connected me with some truly brilliant individuals.
These friendships built on shared rhythms and harmonies will carry me through my seventies and beyond.
Last year, a study conducted in the United Kingdom caught my attention. It showed that older adults can ease depression and anxiety by participating in art together. As I read the findings, I realised I was witnessing first-hand the confirmation of what I had already experienced.
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As we age, we become more vulnerable to feelings of despair due to factors such as poor health, social isolation, and loss. Unsurprisingly, we're also prone to anxiety.
But what if I told you that group creative activities are part of the UK's social prescribing initiative, which connects people in need with community activities for the betterment of their well-being?
However, evidence supporting the benefits of group arts interventions for mental health has been scarce.
Elizabeth Quinn, a PhD candidate at Queen Mary University in London, performed a meta-analysis, examining data from 39 studies in 21 countries. Her research involved over 3,360 participants suffering from depression and 949 participants grappling with anxiety.
The findings? Remarkable! Group arts interventions were found to significantly reduce symptoms of both depression and anxiety, much like antidepressant drugs, talk therapy, and physical activity.
For seniors living in care homes, the benefits were especially significant: depressed symptoms were significantly reduced compared to those living on their own. Given the vulnerability of care home residents to depression, it's clear that group art experiences could have a profound impact on their overall quality of life.
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Given the potential negative effects of antidepressant drugs on stroke and heart health, it seems worthwhile to give "the arts" a shot, doesn't it?
It's not about your artistic prowess; it's about joining others in an activity that invites creativity, whether it's a song, a painting or a sculpture that nestles on your kitchen counter. Each time you look at it, you'll be reminded of the enjoyment and camaraderie you felt during the creative process.
So, now that I've piqued your curiosity, let's find you that group. A quick Google search for "group arts for older adults" has turned up options in Washington D.C., Missouri, California, and my very own Maine. Your local Community Center or Commission on Aging might also have some leads.
Here's a humble painting I whipped up in a group I found right here in my community. Sure, it's not museum-worthy, but I smile every time I lay eyes on it.
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Sources:
The art of well-being: group activities shown to ease depression and anxiety in older adults - Eureka Alert
Group arts interventions for depression and anxiety among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis - Nature Mental Health
Engaging in group creative activities, such as joining a community choir or painting classes, has been linked to significant improvements in mental health for older adults. A study conducted by Elizabeth Quinn at Queen Mary University in London found that group arts interventions can reduce symptoms of both depression and anxiety, similar to antidepressant drugs, talk therapy, and physical activity. This supports the idea that social prescribing, which connects people with community activities for their well-being, can play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life, particularly for seniors living in care homes.