Seniors For Living

The arts bring healing, enjoyment, meaning and purpose to people of all ages, from all walks of life, ranging from those who are professional artists to those who have simply learned the value of embracing their creative side (and we all have one).

Countless studies and anecdotes point to art therapy’s benefits, especially for people living with Alzheimer’s. Senior living communities have caught on; you’ll likely find art therapy programs on activity calendars nationwide.

A new post from the Sunrise Senior Living blog highlights a new study attesting to the healing power of the creative arts, particularly improv, in Alzheimer’s care.

According to the article, researchers from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine have teamed up with a Chicago-based theatre company to determine if theatre classes have a positive effect on senior brains.  Experts from the International Art Therapy Organization believe that “art therapy can give Alzheimer’s patients a new way to communicate as well as improved concentration, better behavior and closer caregiver-patient relationships.”

Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York is also looking at the benefits of improvisational comedy for building up cognitive reserve, defined as “a resilience that can be formed when patients participate in cognitively stimulating activities.”

Alzheimer’s is no laughing matter, but isn’t it good to know that laughter may bring healing and relief?

Learn more about Alzheimer’s care here.