Creativity-Boosting Tips for Older Adults

No matter your age or ability, boosting your creativity is a great and accessible way to breathe new life into your days. In fact, with fewer time commitments and responsibilities, the golden years are the perfect time for older adults to give a boost to their creativity and learn new skills.

Studies have increasingly found a number of mental, emotional, and even potential
physical health benefits linked with creative activities. A recent research collaboration
between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Jameel Arts and Health Lab
further strengthens the connection between the creative arts and health. The
collaboration builds on previous reports that found the creative arts may contribute to
“promoting good health and health equity, preventing illness, and treating acute and
chronic conditions.”

Creative activities are already in use as ways to ease symptoms of certain health
conditions, such as Parkinson’s, in the form of programs like music therapy, dance
therapy, and art therapy. This benefit is an added bonus for older adults, who may
particularly be affected by these health conditions.

Beyond the formally studied benefits, flexing your creative muscles is also just fun to do.
In addition, it's a wonderful way for seniors to engage in self-discovery well into older
adulthood. Given all the positives that nurturing your creative spirit can bring, we have
compiled a few tips on how older adults can boost their creativity.

Join a Class or Performing Arts Group

Loneliness in old age can often be a struggle for seniors. Enrolling in a class or joining a
local performing arts group gives older adults the double benefit of boosting their
creativity and broadening their social circle.

Senior centers, community colleges, and local YMCA branches often offer classes for
seniors where aging adults can learn to paint, draw, knit, and so much more. Plenty of
opportunities await for seniors looking to learn a new skill and meet like-minded
individuals.

Whether as part of a class or part of an informal group, participating in performance arts
activities can boost not only creativity but self-esteem, confidence, and independence
for seniors. Check out a local choral group or community theater to take the first step to
being the star of the show or talent behind the scenes.

Volunteer Your Time

Choosing to give back by volunteering your time, skills, and energy is another great way
for seniors to expand both their social circle and their creativity.

Giving back to your community is an extremely rewarding experience. Every person you
meet, whether they're the ones you're volunteering with or volunteering for, has a story
to tell. Allowing yourself to be inspired by others is a surefire way to get those creative
juices flowing.

Share Your Life Story

If you’ve never thought of yourself as creative, knowing where to begin can be
intimidating. Why not start by expressing the experiences that have made you the
person you are today?

Sharing your life story doesn’t have to be limited to one medium. Journaling, poetry,
painting, novel writing, and photography are all great options.

Try That Hobby You’ve Always Wanted to Learn

Think back 10, 20, 30 years ago. Was there a hobby you always wanted to pick up but
never got around to? For most of us, that answer is definitely a yes.
Maybe you’ve loved gardening since childhood but never had the time to devote to
caring for one. Perhaps you saw a gorgeous dinner party dessert and promised yourself
you’d make it someday. Whatever the hobby of your dreams, there is no better time to
begin than the present.

Looking for additional hobby ideas? There are plenty more hidden gem activities that
may never have crossed your mind.

Get Into Nature

As the seasons change and the weather warms, give your creative mind both literally
and figuratively a breath of fresh air by spending some time outside.
It is no surprise that nature inspires creativity. The beauty of the natural world has
inspired painters, authors, and poets alike since humankind began.
Getting into nature can be as simple as sitting in a local green space, such as a park, a
community garden, or even your own backyard. Try one of these outdoor activities for
more involved ways you and the older adults in your life can enjoy some
creativity-inspiring time in the sun.

Make Time For Meditation

The benefits of meditation include alleviating anxiety, relieving insomnia, reducing
inflammation, and even clearing up respiratory infections, but did you know meditation
can also stimulate the conception of new ideas?

Meditation can have a positive effect on the brain, even if you or the seniors in your life
have never meditated before. These benefits make it an excellent creativity-boosting
habit to add to an older adult's routine.

For help getting started, check out this useful resource from the Mayo Clinic detailing
the benefits of meditation and some common meditation techniques.

Add Some Music

From playing a musical instrument to listening to a favorite tune, there are many ways to
add more music into seniors’ lives. Music is a wonderful creative outlet that can also
foster creativity, such as by promoting a particular mood or the entrance into the
creativity-boosting “mind-wandering mode.”

Music can be especially beneficial for older adults who have memory loss-related
conditions such as Alzheimer's and dementia, as music tends to evoke emotions that
may trigger heartfelt memories and times gone by.

The options are limitless for seniors looking to boost their creativity. The best part of
creativity is that the opportunities for embracing it are near-endless.

For more ways to help the older adults in your life benefit from creativity, check out our
blog with five more activities to keep your loved ones engaged.

Key Takeaways

• Boosting your creativity is a fun, easy, and accessible way for seniors to breathe new life
  into their days.
• Nurturing your creative mind is linked to numerous mental, emotional, and even physical
  health benefits.
• Seniors can boost both their creativity and strengthen their social circle by joining a
  class, local performing arts group, or volunteer work.
• Older adults can strengthen their creative minds by sharing their life story, getting into
  nature, learning new hobbies, meditating, and more.

To find out how United Methodist Homes provides a wealth of offerings and opportunities to support the health and wellbeing of our residents, contact us today or schedule a complimentary visit now.