In his experience, there are many elders hospitalized without being diagnosed with any particular disease but suffer. They are often not conscious of what is happening to them, are not given any special medicines, and when walking along the street are often made fun of by children, families often keep them locked up at home.
Nowadays
we call this disease dementia and the only medicine given is
to prevent the disease from getting worse. Korean society is quickly
developing into an aging society and among this group, we have an
increase of depression and suicides. At present those over the age of
65, 33% have symptoms of depression that require that something be
done.
There are many programs that are now available to slow down the development of dementia or prevent its development. Some examples: music, gym work, walking, sand play, art therapy, etc. have been developed by psychological counselors. He mentions the work of Carl Rogers (1902-1987) and his Person-Centered Therapy and his work with art therapy for the elderly. The writer has become qualified in this field of art therapy for the elderly.
This refers to the entire process in which art therapists professionally trained in psychological, mental, and difficulties of the elderly obtain desirable results through understanding interaction with the elderly.
Art psychology classes for the elderly help them to express emotions and
experiences through activities that would be difficult to express in language. They
are helped to express themselves positively and creatively. Through
the process, they are able to accept social
and psychological changes in a healthy manner. In the remaining years of
life, they are helped to overcome anxiety, depression, and fear that
comes into a person's life.
He lists some of the benefits that can come to a person taking the program.
1) Using different art materials strengthens the five senses.
2) It has a rehabilitative capability to heal problems caused by left and right brain damage.
3) Movements help the development of large and small muscles.
4) Improves language skills.
5) Develops the muscle tissue of the hand.
6) Develops the ability to express oneself in a group.
7) Helps to relax psychological tensions, gain stability, and live with more joy.
8) Relaxation and the rhythm of regular breathing during the time spent together is maintained or improved.
Elderly Art Psychology helps a person to change their whole way of living.
There is no concrete goal expected. The elders by their art allow them to paint freely and reminisce about their own hidden old memories. Everything that they paint or draw is alright. Everything that they draw or paint is explained to their instructor and helps in deepening the communication between them.`
He mentions an example where one of the elders painted the sky red. He asked why was it not blue and the answer was as a child the house was on fire and the whole sky was red. Hearing these words all began to nod their heads in understanding.
There are many memories from time past that have disappeared. In this therapy program recalling the past and reflecting on personal experiences provides an opportunity to integrate the past with the present. Reminiscence therapy is introduced as a way for patients to have better mental health by remembering their experiences. One can participate comfortably in this therapy because it allows the elderly to keep and retrieve latent memories for a longer time by having others listen to and recall the experiences of the elderly during the conversation. This process helps cognitive enhancement.
He
goes on to explain what is done in the program step by step and ends
with the hope that these programs continue to grow among the elderly.
