What art activities suit older adults? From memory collages to singing together, ideas for home and care homes, how to adapt them and what to keep in mind.
A father whose days have started to pass in front of the television since he retired; a grandmother who has not wanted to talk to anyone since losing her husband; a care home resident who fills the afternoons looking out of the window... People who want to do something for an older relative often find themselves asking: what could we do that would both keep them occupied and make them feel good? Art activities for older adults can be one of the answers to this question. In this article we look at creative activities that can be done with older people at home or in a care home, what they can offer, how they can be adapted to different needs and the points to keep in mind.
Why Do Art Activities for Older Adults Matter?
For many people, later life is a period in which losses multiply. Retirement can bring the loss of work and roles, alongside the death of a spouse or friends, children moving to other cities, physical limitations and health problems. These losses can deepen feelings of loneliness and of no longer being useful. The days start to look alike, and topics of conversation dwindle.
Creative activities do not change this picture on their own; but they can add a few important things to daily life:
- Structured time: An activity done on a set day at a set time gives the week a rhythm.
- Using the hands: Painting, kneading, cutting and gluing exercise fine motor skills and hand–eye coordination.
- Social contact: When an activity is done with another person or a group, a natural setting for conversation emerges.
- Having made something: The result, however simple, supports the feeling of "I can still do this".
- Touching memories and identity: Old photographs, songs or handicrafts make room for a person to retell their life story.
Research in this area also paints a promising but cautious picture. A review of studies on art therapy in adults included older people as one of the research groups and found the results promising but methodologically limited. It should also be noted that most of these studies concern structured processes run by trained professionals and do not directly measure the effect of activities done at home.
Art Activities That Can Be Done at Home and in Care Homes
The following activities require no special artistic knowledge. They can be chosen according to the person's interests, physical condition and mood. When choosing art activities for older adults, a good starting point is to ask the person what they loved doing when they were younger. The experiences of someone who embroidered lace edging for a bride's trousseau, grew tomatoes in their garden or sang folk songs at weddings will enrich both the content of the activity and the conversation around it.
Memory collage and photo album
A collage can be made using photocopies of old family photographs, images cut from magazines and short notes. A theme is chosen, for example "the city of my youth", "our wedding" or "my first job". The stories told while the collage is being made are often more valuable than the product itself. Done with grandchildren, this activity can also build a bridge between generations.
Handicrafts: knitting, embroidery, beadwork
For many older women and men, handicrafts are a familiar pastime from their younger years. Knitting, needle lace, threading beads or weaving baskets both revive a familiar skill and give the feeling of being able to do something "the way I used to". If manual dexterity has declined, thicker needles, larger beads or simplified patterns can be used.
Singing together
Singing together the folk songs, popular songs or hymns of a person's youth is one of the most accessible creative activities. Writing the lyrics in large letters on a sheet of paper makes it easier to recall forgotten lines. In a care home, a weekly "song hour" can be a natural occasion for residents to come together.
Painting pots and a small garden
Painting terracotta pots, planting basil, geraniums or parsley in them and tending them every day provides both a creative pastime and a daily responsibility. Watching a plant grow is calming and meaningful for many people.
Working with clay and dough
Clay or play dough is well suited to strengthening the hands and offering a tactile experience. Simple pots, small figures or even shapeless kneading are enough. For people with tremors or joint pain, soft doughs should be preferred.
Writing letters and postcards
Preparing a postcard for a grandchild far away or an old friend, adding a small drawing and writing a few lines is both a creative and a connecting activity. For those who find writing difficult, someone else can act as scribe while the person dictates.
In an activity with an older relative, the real product is not the picture on the paper but the conversation that takes place during that half hour.
Adapting Activities to the Person
The needs of older people vary enormously. The same activity may not suit both a very fit person in their eighties and a sixty-five-year-old with mild cognitive decline. The following points can guide adaptation:
- Sight problems: Large sheets of paper, thick-tipped pens, bright and contrasting colours, and a well-lit table.
- Joint pain and tremors: Thick-handled brushes, soft doughs, paper fixed to the table, and tearing rather than cutting for collage.
- Hearing problems: Providing lyrics in writing for singing activities, and talking face to face in a calm setting.
- Attention and memory difficulties: Short, single-step activities; explaining each step one at a time in a calm voice; valuing the enjoyment of the moment rather than the result.
- Tiredness: Keeping activities short and choosing the time of day when the person is most alert.
All these adaptations share one basic principle: respect and dignity. Handing an older adult a children's colouring book or talking to them as you would to a child can be hurtful, however well meant. The activity should suit the person's age, life experience and tastes. For example, wood painting may feel far more meaningful to a retired carpenter, and calligraphy practice to a retired teacher, than a colourful page.
Creative Activities for Relatives Living with Dementia
In activities with people living with dementia, the aim is not to teach something or "bring back" memory but to make the moment enjoyable and calm. One of the most researched areas here is music-based interventions.
The current version of a Cochrane review brought together 30 studies and around 1,720 people. According to this review, music-based interventions probably reduce depressive symptoms in people living with dementia and may bring some improvement in overall behavioural problems. However, no clear effect is expected on agitation, aggression or cognitive function. In other words, music does not reverse dementia; but it can support some people's mood. For more on practice in this area, see our article on music therapy for older adults.
When doing activities with a relative living with dementia, it helps to:
- Use songs, scents and objects familiar from the person's youth.
- Offer an invitation such as "You used to love this song" rather than asking test-like questions such as "Do you remember?"
- Make the person feel that there is no such thing as getting it wrong.
- Stop the activity without pressing on if the person becomes restless.
Let us imagine a grandfather with moderate dementia who, sitting beside a grandchild whose name he struggles to remember, hears the first line of a folk song he loved in his youth and starts humming along. This moment is not a treatment; but it is a valuable moment of connection for the family and for the grandfather alike. We look separately at the emotional burden of living with a relative diagnosed with dementia in our article on being a relative of someone with dementia.
Things to Keep in Mind When Organising Art Activities for Older Adults
Whether within the family or in institutions such as care homes, a few general principles make organising activities easier:
- Give the person a choice. Choosing whether to take part and what to do supports a person's sense of control over their own life.
- Don't evaluate the result. Exaggerated praise such as "That's wonderful" and corrections such as "Don't do it like that" can both spoil the ease of the activity. Asking with curiosity works better: "Why did you choose these colours?"
- Keep it short and regular. Rather than a long, tiring activity, half-hour sessions two or three times a week are often more suitable.
- Pay attention to safety. Materials such as scissors, needles and paints should be used under supervision, especially for people with cognitive difficulties. Non-toxic paints should be preferred.
- Keep the setting calm. A loud television in the background, crowds and noise make it harder to focus.
- Leave the work with the person. Asking for the person's consent before displaying or sharing what they have made is a sign of respect.
In Turkey, many families care for an elderly parent while also dealing with their own jobs and children. Amid all this, the thought "Am I supposed to organise activities as well?" is understandable. It is important to remember that the aim is not to build a perfect programme. Looking at old photographs together during a holiday visit, singing a folk song with your mother after weekend breakfast or setting out pots on the balcony with your father are exactly the activities we mean.
For older people who live alone or whose children live in other cities, opportunities outside the home can also be considered. Some municipalities and civil society organisations run social centres, handicraft courses, choirs or painting workshops for older people. Settings like these offer the chance to make new friends alongside a creative pastime. Children who live far away can show interest by asking about these activities over the phone or on video calls and asking for photos of what has been made. This small interest can also strengthen the person's wish to keep going.
A note is needed for carers, too: looking after an older relative can, over time, cause serious exhaustion. Organising activities in a way you can enjoy, without adding to your own burden, matters for both your wellbeing and your relative's.
When Should You Seek Professional Support?
Creative activities can brighten an older relative's day; but some situations call for an assessment that goes beyond activities. If you notice the following signs, it may be helpful to consult a professional:
- Low mood, apathy, frequent crying or thoughts such as "I'm no use any more" lasting for weeks,
- Complete withdrawal from everything they used to enjoy, including activities,
- Marked changes in sleep and appetite, or noticeable weight loss,
- Forgetfulness increasing to the point of affecting daily tasks, difficulty finding the way, or confusing familiar people,
- A wish to die, saying there is nothing left worth living for, or thoughts of self-harm.
If the last point applies, call 112 (emergency services) without delay.
Depression in later life is often missed because it is mistaken for "a natural part of ageing". Yet depression can be addressed at any age. Our article on depression in later life offers more detailed information on symptoms and ways to get support. Where forgetfulness is increasing, an assessment by a neurologist or psychiatrist is important.
In psychological support, creative activities can be used as a tool according to the person's interests; for example, when working with depression, gradually bringing enjoyable activities back into daily life can be part of the process. Support in the area of depression and mood can also be accessible through online sessions for older people with limited mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
My mother says, "I can't draw, I'm not a child!" How can I persuade her?
Rather than insisting, starting from a pastime she already enjoys may work better: knitting, putting together a recipe notebook, looking after pot plants or looking at old photographs. Presenting the activity not as "drawing" but as "spending time together" can also reduce resistance.
Are group activities or one-to-one activities better in a care home?
Both have their place. Group activities increase social contact, while one-to-one activities may be more comfortable for residents who are shyer or have attention difficulties. Balancing the two according to the person's preference is often appropriate.
My father, who has dementia, draws the same thing over and over. Is that a bad sign?
Repetition is common in people living with dementia and may not in itself be a sign of decline. If the person enjoys this pastime and it calms them, they can be allowed to continue. If you notice a sudden change in behaviour, it is a good idea to talk to their doctor.
Do these activities prevent memory loss?
There is no evidence that creative activities prevent memory loss or reverse dementia. They can, however, support mood, increase social contact and add meaning to the days. Concerns about memory call for an assessment by a doctor.
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Eda Erkan Alapala
Klinik Psikolog. İstanbul Kent Üniversitesi Klinik Psikoloji Tezli Yüksek Lisans mezunu; bilişsel davranışçı terapi, çocuk merkezli oyun terapisi ve çocuk-ergen psikoterapisi alanlarında eğitimlerini tamamlamıştır.
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