Kathy Lamancusa, a certified art therapist, shares the benefits of incorporating art into our lives as seniors. While the research is well-documented, how does this actually work in the body? Each week of this course you learn about aspects of aging that can be slowed or reversed with art activities, then, complete an art project that can enhance your life. Some of the areas that we explore include:
-Improved cognitive function through stimulation of the senses making it easier to form quick neural connections in the brain that may have slowed down due to aging
-Reduced feeling of depression, stress, and anxiety by diverting focus to something productive and providing an outlet for suppressed emotions
-Improved function in limbs and joints by enhancing motor skills and blood flow, improving muscle coordination and dexterity
-Enhanced self-expression and communication caused by physical or mental slowdowns allowing healing from loss or grief in their own time
-Reduced suffering from disorders and symptoms such as chronic pain due to joint problems such as arthritis and inflammation
-Improved memory from diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia by helping one to remember forgotten memories about old times and loved ones