Unlocking Emotional Expression through Creativity in Dementia Care

As dementia progresses, verbal communication often becomes more difficult. This can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and distress for individuals who struggle to express themselves.

However, art therapy offers a powerful and non-verbal way to facilitate emotional expression, helping individuals with dementia communicate their feelings, needs, and experiences when words fail.

Using art therapy to express emotions when words fail can enhance emotional well-being and provide a sense of accomplishment and connection. It encourages self-expression through creative outlets, such as drawing, painting, or sculpture, which are particularly beneficial when traditional forms of communication become challenging.

With platforms like Evaheld, families and carers can document art therapy sessions, preferences, and any emotional responses in the Evaheld Legacy Vault for future reference and tailored care.

Why Art Therapy Matters in Dementia Care

Art therapy can offer several benefits for individuals with dementia:

• Encourages self-expression when verbal communication becomes difficult
• Reduces anxiety and agitation by providing a calming and creative outlet
• Stimulates cognitive and motor functions through creative activities
• Enhances emotional well-being by fostering a sense of achievement and connection
• Provides a tool for caregivers to better understand the emotional and psychological state of the person with dementia

Dementia Support Australia highlights that art therapy can provide emotional validation, allowing individuals to process complex feelings that they may struggle to express with words.

This therapeutic approach can create a bridge between the individual’s inner world and the external world, improving their overall well-being.

How Art Therapy Works in Dementia Care

Art therapy works by focusing on the process of creating art, rather than the end product. This makes it an inclusive form of therapy, as individuals of all skill levels can participate.

The activities can range from simple drawing or colouring to more complex tasks like painting or sculpting, depending on the person’s abilities.

Some common forms of art therapy for dementia care include:

• Painting and drawing: These are familiar and accessible activities that can help individuals express themselves through visual art
• Clay work and sculpture: Engaging the hands and fingers in tactile activities can also stimulate motor skills and provide a sense of accomplishment
• Music and art fusion: Combining music with visual art activities can enhance emotional engagement and offer multi-sensory stimulation
• Collage making: Using images from magazines or personal photos can help trigger memories and encourage reminiscence, a key aspect of art therapy

By engaging with art in this way, individuals are not only able to express themselves but also participate in meaningful activities that promote cognitive stimulation, reduce stress, and improve mood.

Step-by-Step: Incorporating Art Therapy into Dementia Care

1. Create a Calm, Supportive Environment

Before starting any art therapy session, ensure that the environment is calming and free from distractions:

• Choose a well-lit, quiet space
• Offer a variety of art supplies that are easy to handle, such as crayons, markers, paints, or clay
• Use soft background music to create a soothing atmosphere

Evaheld recommends storing session details and preferences, including environmental adjustments, in the Evaheld Legacy Vault for reference during future art therapy activities.

2. Tailor the Activity to the Person’s Abilities

The key to successful art therapy is person-centred care.

Adapt the activity to the individual’s current abilities and preferences:

• For individuals with limited mobility, provide large crayons or markers that are easier to grip
• For those with cognitive impairments, use simple, repetitive tasks, such as colouring in patterns or shapes
• Encourage free expression, allowing the individual to create without restrictions or expectations

Nurse Info suggests that carers should respect the individual’s pace and not rush them through the creative process. Allowing them to take their time helps build confidence and enhances the therapeutic value of the activity.

3. Encourage Emotional Expression Through Art

As individuals begin to engage with the art, focus on emotional expression:

• Gently ask open-ended questions about the colours, shapes, or images they are creating (“What does this remind you of?”)
• Avoid pressuring them to explain their art if they are unable to do so; instead, offer emotional validation (“This looks beautiful,” “I can see how much care you’ve put into this”)
• For individuals who may be struggling with strong emotions, provide comforting feedback and validate their feelings through their art

Family Legacy Series recommends using art as a gateway to reminiscence. Involve the person in conversations about their life history as they create, which can enhance emotional engagement and help them process complex feelings.

4. Use Art to Build Connections

Art therapy can also be a shared activity, fostering social connection:

• Encourage family members or other residents in a care home to join in
• Discuss each other’s creations to encourage dialogue and shared experience
• Share the artwork with family or friends to involve them in the process and show the person’s creative achievements

Evaheld blog emphasises how collaborative art projects can strengthen relationships and foster social inclusion, promoting emotional well-being and reducing feelings of isolation.

5. Monitor Emotional Responses and Adjust

After each session, it’s important to assess how the person is feeling:

• Does the person seem calmer, more engaged, or less anxious after the activity?
• Are they enjoying the process of creating art?
• If they seem upset or frustrated, adjust the activity to better suit their needs, perhaps switching to a more soothing task or offering a break

Advance Care Planning Australia advises monitoring emotional responses regularly to ensure the art therapy process is having a positive effect on the person’s emotional well-being.

Supporting the Sandwich Generation

For adult children managing caregiving alongside other responsibilities:

• Evaheld offers a digital platform for tracking art therapy progress, documenting personal preferences, and storing artwork for future reference
• Video calls or virtual art sessions can help families stay connected with the person and engage in creative activities remotely

Online Will Blog suggests using art therapy as part of a broader advance care plan, allowing family members to plan for therapeutic activities that promote emotional connection and well-being.

In Residential and Home Care Settings

Ensure carers:

• Are trained in the principles of art therapy and how to encourage creative expression
• Offer a variety of accessible art materials that cater to the individual’s abilities
• Provide a safe, comfortable environment that encourages participation

Dementia Support Australia offers helpful resources on using art therapy as part of a holistic approach to dementia care.

Final Thoughts

Art therapy is a powerful tool for enhancing emotional expression, reducing anxiety, and fostering connection in individuals with dementia.

By incorporating creative activities into the care plan, families and carers can support individuals in expressing their feelings and maintaining their sense of self as they navigate the challenges of dementia.

With Evaheld, you can store and share art therapy plans, document preferences, and track progress, ensuring a personalised, person-centred approach to emotional support through creativity.