Promoting Self-Expression in Older Adults
Self-expression can mean many things to many different individuals. Each individual is unique and different in their own way. Therefore, when an individual participates in activities that promote self-expression they are highlighting their very own abilities and gifts. As an individual ages their ability levels may change, but they are still capable of participating in different activities that had once brought them joy. Older adults may even develop a new interest in different activities that they did not have time for at one point in their life. The activities may just need a couple adaptations. However, being able to take part in leisure activities such as music, art and social activities that …show more content…
The two main reasons that older adults have depression is due to their physical and emotional states. As individuals age their roles in life begin to change. Individuals may go from the role of husband and wife to the role of mom and dad. When two adults choose to have a child their lives typically become all about them. Adults tend to make sure that their children’s needs are met before their own. Once their children are grown and out of the house their role as parents has changed. This one role change often goes unfulfilled leaving an individual with feelings of emptiness. While this is one of the larger role changes in life, it is not the only one an older adult may face (Krause, 2010). Not only do their roles in life change but their physical health begins to change as well. As an individual ages their bodies begin to break down in each of the twelve different systems of the human body. Nevertheless, the break down within these twelve different systems is just a part of the natural aging process. Older adults with a degenerative disease tend to experience the disease progression at a faster pace as they age (Im and Lee, 2014). Due to the amount of physical and emotional stress placed on an older adult there is no surprise that they have a higher rate of depression. When an older adult can fulfill the empty places in their lives with a leisure activity that promotes self-expression, they are …show more content…
In an older adult setting, a recreational therapist can facilitate many different types of group activities that promote art expression. One particular art expression group could be allowing each individual to paint whatever they would like to paint using watercolors. The point of this activity would be to allow each individual to work through their own thoughts and feelings through their design. While each of the older adults paints on their piece of paper using the water colors, the recreational therapist would walk around asking specific questions based on their art work (Hertz, 2016). This group activity gives each individual the chance to share with the group his or her thoughts and
Self-expression can mean many things to many different individuals. Each individual is unique and different in their own way. Therefore, when an individual participates in activities that promote self-expression they are highlighting their very own abilities and gifts. As an individual ages their ability levels may change, but they are still capable of participating in different activities that had once brought them joy. Older adults may even develop a new interest in different activities that they did not have time for at one point in their life. The activities may just need a couple adaptations. However, being able to take part in leisure activities such as music, art and social activities that …show more content…
The two main reasons that older adults have depression is due to their physical and emotional states. As individuals age their roles in life begin to change. Individuals may go from the role of husband and wife to the role of mom and dad. When two adults choose to have a child their lives typically become all about them. Adults tend to make sure that their children’s needs are met before their own. Once their children are grown and out of the house their role as parents has changed. This one role change often goes unfulfilled leaving an individual with feelings of emptiness. While this is one of the larger role changes in life, it is not the only one an older adult may face (Krause, 2010). Not only do their roles in life change but their physical health begins to change as well. As an individual ages their bodies begin to break down in each of the twelve different systems of the human body. Nevertheless, the break down within these twelve different systems is just a part of the natural aging process. Older adults with a degenerative disease tend to experience the disease progression at a faster pace as they age (Im and Lee, 2014). Due to the amount of physical and emotional stress placed on an older adult there is no surprise that they have a higher rate of depression. When an older adult can fulfill the empty places in their lives with a leisure activity that promotes self-expression, they are …show more content…
In an older adult setting, a recreational therapist can facilitate many different types of group activities that promote art expression. One particular art expression group could be allowing each individual to paint whatever they would like to paint using watercolors. The point of this activity would be to allow each individual to work through their own thoughts and feelings through their design. While each of the older adults paints on their piece of paper using the water colors, the recreational therapist would walk around asking specific questions based on their art work (Hertz, 2016). This group activity gives each individual the chance to share with the group his or her thoughts and