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Art Projects Elderly Care in Anchorage AK Senior Activities
4 min read

What Can You Do to Make Art Projects More Appealing for Your Aging Adult?

  • Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator
  • Author Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator
  • Published November 10, 2017

Art projects are a great way for your aging adult and you as her caregiver to explore different ways of expressing yourselves.

Here are some general tips for keeping these projects exciting for your senior…

 

Elderly Care in Anchorage AK: Art Projects For Seniors

Elderly Care in Anchorage AK: Art Projects For Seniors

 

Keep the Focus on Age-appropriate Projects

While it might be really easy to find items such as a children’s coloring book, using that with your aging adult can be a bit demoralizing. Try instead to look for projects that you can do that are much more appropriate for her age now. This lets her explore without feeling as if she’s doing something that a child would be doing.

 

Choose Non-toxic Paints and Materials

You definitely need to pay attention to the types of materials that you’re using for your art projects. Choosing non-toxic paints and other materials helps you and your senior to stay safe while you’re doing everything from finger painting to all sorts of other art projects. Look specifically for the phrase “non-toxic” on the label to be sure.

 

Help Where Needed

Your senior might not need as much help as you suspect at first. But watch carefully and if she seems to need help starting out the project, model it for her or gently guide her. Part of making art, however, is exploring, so do try to allow her to explore a bit.

 

Keep Time Restrictions out of Art Projects

If you’re trying to squeeze time for art into a tight timeframe, that might not be the best idea. It’s difficult to be creative when there is a clock ticking harshly. Instead, remember to leave at least an hour or two for art time and be flexible. If your senior is having fun, she might want to keep going.

 

Work on Art with Her

This is a perfect time to sit with your senior and make art along with her. Spending this time gives you a chance to talk with her and to help her along whenever she seems to have trouble. Encourage your senior and let her know that she’s doing a great job even by just giving this project a try.

As you and your aging adult work on more art projects and branch out to different ideas, you’ll both find you get a lot out of this time together.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring elderly care in Anchorage, AK, call us! The friendly staff at Shine Bright Care are here to answer your questions.
Call toll-free – (888) 264-5998

 

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Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator
Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator
Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator In reflecting on this journey, my home care career, I cannot help but think of my parents. I assisted alongside my sister, to care for them during their last years. Both mother and father had suffered a stroke, heart attacks, diabetes, dementia, hypertension and many more complications that I cannot even imagine going through. Life as a caregiver was not easy but it was something that you just had to do, especially for your parents. Both my parents needed full-time 24-7 care, meaning they could not do anything for themselves. Every day my sister would care for them, whether it was assisting them to medical appointments, cooking and cleaning, bathing and showering, or transferring from wheelchair to bed. It was their complete care for all activities of daily living. I think of my parents often. My father passed in 2012 and my mother recently passed in 2015. I would give anything to have them back. That would be selfish to say, as it would have meant them suffering and not living a full life. I know they are in heaven smiling down. With the experience of caring for my parents, I was able to secure a job as a direct support professional. I was later offered a job as a case manager and excelled to become a team leader. Gradually I was promoted to being a care coordinator and from then on, I just knew this was meant for me. This is my calling; this is my life’s purpose. I went on to experience greater things in this field of Human Services. To care and help individuals and families find support and services needed to navigate the system to meet their needs, is such an honor and rewarding experience to be involved in. I look back, and a decade has passed since I started and it is now 2017. I would love to thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to have the experience of caring for them and go on to do something great with helping others find care and support in the community.
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