For 14 years I created and ran a series of art therapy classes for senior citizens in my town. It all started when I called around town one summer looking for ways to use my art teaching skills for the community. After calling a number of agencies, I ended up being transferred to the Parks and Recreation Department, which had a community service division furnishing lunches for senior citizens. The director of the program was intrigued when I said I could offer art classes in watercolor for a reasonable fee. She said she would ask around the seniors to see if they were interested and hung up. I figured I would never hear from her again.
However two weeks later she called back and said that the seniors were indeed interested in painting and she had been looking for interesting things for the seniors to do while waiting for lunch. She thought that this could be just the thing.
When I came into her office to iron out the details she made it clear to me that I was not a permanent employee of the city. I had NO job security and as soon as the seniors were no longer interested, I was OUT. I was okay with that since I figured I had only been looking for something to fill in the summer months. When the school year started in September, I usually had gigs going to grammar school classrooms with my art lessons. Imagine my surprise and astonishment when it lasted 14 years. It may have lasted longer if it had not been for the sever budget cuts that finally hit the city Parks and Recs.
Over the years I learned many things about the senior citizens and art therapy, which I am sharing here. If you ever want to start an art therapy class of your own, you should keep these things in mine.
Have you ever worked with the elderly before?
No. Never gave it much thought.
No. But I think I will look into it now.
Yes. But it wasn't a pleasant experience.
Yes and I love it. They are awesome.
The elderly really don’t want to learn new skills, like how to draw.
In the beginning I brought blank paper and pencils thinking I would teach them how to draw simple things like flowers and trees. Most of them looked at me with those sweet faces and begged me to do that part for them. After several weeks I got the 411. They just wanted to paint. A little like kids with a coloring book, they didn’t want to do the designing, just the fun part of filling in the lines with color. After that I drew all the pictures at home using a stencil I created myself. In this way I passed out the paper with the design already drawn on and we could all sit down to paint together. It made things very happy for everyone.
They all wanted me to paint with them so they could see the steps.
I brought a completed painting for everyone to see and then had to paint another one with them to show them how I got the completed picture. This meant for the 10 to 15 classes I taught each week, I had to paint one at each and ended up with 10 to 15 copies of the same painting. After a while it was fun to see the variations I could come up with on the same drawing and theme.
In the beginning I came up with paintings I thought would be interesting and fun for them and me. I saw right away that what I could complete in relatively little time, took the seniors much longer and often took more skill level than they could muster. After a while I managed to gauge the average skill level by figuring if I could complete the sample painting in 15 minutes, then they may possibly be able to do the same in 1 hour. Also I had to include large space with flat wash color and only a few final fine details. It was the fine details that they were intrigued by but often had trouble seeing well and completing with accuracy, so I made these as few and simple as possible. Some of the seniors really surprised me and over the years developed a real feel for the intricacies of painting. They got better and better the longer they painted with me.
The elderly don’t like to be rushed.
Unfortunately, my boss wanted me to complete a class in one hour and clean up, jump in the car, drive to the next site, unload all the supplies, set up and paint for one hour again. I found it stressful because they were waiting for me, and the elderly didn’t like me to be late. Yet those at the first site hated to stop and clean up if they were still in the middle of their painting. The ideal thing would be to have no more than one class a day and spent two to three hours there. Unfortunately, I had to answer to a higher power: my boss, the director of the program. She wanted me at as many sites around town as she could get me to in a week, and all before lunch each day. Sometimes the seniors would get cranky with me because I had to take the paint and brushes and leave, but eventually they understood I had to. While I was there I tried to be a pleasant and as relaxed as possible, but I can’t lie; I was stressed with the time management. After a week like that I felt I needed the Art Therapy.
The elderly will let you do it for them: so don’t.
I had more than one who wanted an excellent painting to take home… SO they wanted me to do it or at least “touch it up” after they painted. I did a few… BIG MISTAKE. I suppose it is like your kids. If you ever want them to tie their own shoes you have to make them do it themselves. Some kids want to and others want you to perpetually do it FOR them. The seniors were like that. Some didn’t want me to touch their paintings and others would rather I did for them so they could show family when they got home, how talented THEY were. I had to stop helping in that way or I’d be painting everyone’s picture from then on. I didn’t mind helping with a real problem, but doing if for them was just not an option.
I think one of the biggest problems an artist faces is being quiet while painting. We get in that ZONE… the right side of the brain zone where you can’t talk and paint at the same time. However if you are teaching, you HAVE to give instruction from time to time. So I learned to do it. It took some training. I found that if I started a conversation with some interesting tidbit, the seniors would chime in and do the rest. The do enjoy talking and sometimes only need a small catalyst. Talk about your day, your husband/wife, your dog or pet, your mom, your kids, etc. It doesn’t take much.
They also love a good story.
I did find a few times when things got very quiet. We artists love quiet but when I was teaching I was always afraid of being boring. So I started learning and memorizing stories about famous artists. I made it a game telling a story about an artist without giving the name of the artist until the end. Some could guess who it was and others were just entertained. Later some of my faithful painters told me they kept coming back, not because of the painting (although they enjoyed that part) but because of the stories. I became known as the storyteller. Kind of funny when you think I only did it because I was afraid of being uninteresting.
Some senior citizens are kleptomaniacs.
I hate to be the one to report this but it’s true. Not all of course, but many would steal paint brushes, paint pallets, and unguarded purses. One sweet elderly gentleman had a bag attached to his walker. He would sweetly shuffle up to the table, look over my set up, and stealthily sweep the brushes into his bag before shuffling off to the next table to sit down. His daughter returned them to me the following week, apologizing. His explanation was basically that he was old; that he had paid his dues, and everything, including my brushes, should be free to him now. I understand and I’m not mad. I just didn’t want to have to pay for new brushes out of my own pocket to replace the city’s equipment.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t really an isolated incident. There were several situations like that that happened over the years and I got to where I kept an extra close watch on my purse and my equipment. Dementia is a horrible thing, and but for the Grace of God, it could happen to me someday. I want to be as kind and patient with these sweet folks as I hope others are with me someday.
Art therapy for senior citizens is rewarding, more that you will ever know.
I loved my elderly painters. Some came with vision problems and after a decade or so they painted like pros. Others had poor hand coordination, tremors, and advanced arthritis, but their dexterity improved as they painted. I think it has something to do with using the creative side of the brain during painting. Still others came because they had lost a beloved spouse and their children were afraid they had given up. This happened with a dozen or more of the 100 seniors who came to my classes each week. Coming to the center and painting once a week gave them a reason to get up and get dressed. One year, a sweet lady’s 8 children came and gave me a cake. They surrounded me and each thanked me for saving their mother’s life. They were sure after their father had passed that she had given up and there would soon be another funeral. But when she started painting with me she developed a renewed interest in life, and they said she wouldn’t miss my class for anything. They had me in tears.
How do I start to work with senior citizens in the beginning stage?
I have said it before, but you really should find a sponsor to pay you for your time and materials. The seniors usually are on a fixed income and cannot afford to pay for the joy of painting that you are offering. I began working with the seniors through the city parks and recreation department (under the recreation part of it) but you could also talk a retirement community into supporting you or an convalescent hospital/home. Check around to see who might be interested in starting a painting class type of activity on a weekly or monthly basis. If you just jump in and start classes paying for the paper and materials yourself on a volunteer basis, the authorities may feel that they shouldn't have to pay or help out with something you were willing to do for free. After you have funding and advertise that classes will begin on a certain date and time, make sure you are there on time. Seniors don't like having to wait and will go find something else to do. After you are established as coming regularly, they will be there faithfully waiting for you. Create simple project paintings that even the most unskilled painters will feel they accomplished something fine and fantastic. You don't want them to go away feeling that they are failures. They won't return if that happens. I tried not to make it too simplistic but also not too complicated. I also drew out the picture for them on the paper before I came. They don't want to learn how to draw; they just want to paint. This why I began using stencils, because I was drawing dozens of the same picture over and over again each week for the seniors to paint. Finally, enjoy them and their conversation. I found with little provocation they will tell you their life story. Many times it is fascinating.
How do I start in the beginning stage with senior citizens?
Set up a place where there is enough room for everyone to have a foot of so on each side of them and their paper, lay out all the supplies and paper and have a sample of the end painting they are all shooting to copy set up where they can all see it. I set a small table easel at the end of each rectangular table so they could look up at it as they painted their painting. Make sure the room is comfortable and air-conditioned. A barn will not do in the summer or winter months because senior citizens are too sensitive to heat and cold. I've seen well-meaning people set up tables in their garage or barn thinking it was the perfect space for classes because the cleanup would be minimal but the area was so hot and intolerable that I couldn't stand it let alone the seniors. Once you have space and tables, allow for enough time for each picture to be completed. It was hard at first for me to gauge how much time seniors would need to complete a small painting but I began to realize that too many details like little houses and flowers were just too much for the seniors. I started making landscapes with large areas of color washes that could be laid in quickly with a few swipes and only a few small details for interest. This made an interesting painting they could complete in just a little over an hour.
I'm just starting in the field as an independent contractor/arts facilitator, and I have no idea how I can charge for my services. What's a reasonable fee for senior centers, for example? I would greatly appreciate any leads you may have.
Before you ask for an hourly wage, consider that you will spend as much time at home prepping for each class as you do in class. So say, if you ask for $10 an hour you will be really making about $5 an hour. I asked for $25 an hour and felt that was conservative. They may not have that in the budget and if not, you have to ask yourself if you are willing to make the sacrifice for the greater good you will be doing for the elderly. I know I did. It was 1998 when I started and they offered me $14 an hour. I jumped at it because I felt that that would be increased over time. In 2010 I was still making the same $14 an hour because they said I was at the "ceiling" they were able to offer for part-time temporary employees. How many years do you have to work before they consider you better than part-time temporary? Anyway, you will want to think about that in the beginning. Also think, if you need to travel from one site to another, will you be offered milage or transportation compensation. Consider how many hours you will be offered per week and if you will be able to fill the rest of the hours with more work elsewhere. Also, the biggest thing for me was that they cover the cost of supplies on top of my wage. I was very conservative in the choice of paints and paper to work with so as not to overburden the city Parks department who were paying me, but it was essential that they cover all that up front.
What are the limits to be with the senior citizens?
There are very few limits to working with senior citizens. Working for the city parks department, I was fingerprinted, and my background checked, although I doubt that they were worried that I might be selling drugs to seniors. It was mostly a formality in working for the city. Unless you are calling yourself a therapist or some official title, you won't have much in the way of limits restricting you. You will want to show that you have a love of the art you are doing and a love of sharing it with people. You will need to show patience and tolerance for the handicaps that many seniors endure. I doubt that a racist or an intolerant person who doesn't like people speaking Spanish or some other language than English will get very far with the seniors. Other than that, enjoy the process.
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Thank you Dana. I appreciate your kind words. To be sure I have made myself clear right upfront, I want you to know that I don’t have a degree in art therapy, only a masters in art and illustration. However I did have both seniors with and without dementia and other disabilities in my watercolor classes over the 14 years I taught for the city Parks department and beyond when I taught for the adult education department. In terms of skill level there was very little difference with those with and without. However, I had more stories to share from those with dementia. They often were more in tuned to their mood and painted using colors accordingly. I remember one man was often being hovered over by the caregivers trying to correct him to stay in the lines provided on the painting. But he, never speaking a word, wanted to just paint the whole paper red or orange. It wasn’t until I explained to the caregivers that it was a “red day” and to let him get that out, that they relaxed. After that we often commented on the color of the day because of the colors he quietly preferred. Sometimes it was a black day and sometimes a blue day. He was always in a good up mood when it was a yellow day or an orange one. Often he would use more than one color and would blend them in interesting ways. It was always best to let him silently set the tone for his day and not bother him with needless instruction. Another lady wanted to talk the whole time we were together, sharing the same story of her life each week. I didn’t mind hearing the same story over and over, month after month. She obviously needed to share it and she would paint and talk. I think the talking was almost as important a therapy for her as the painting was. I was often told that mine was the cheapest therapy in town, because for the price of paint and paper, people would go way feeling much better just for the experience of petting the paper with paint. I believe that’s true to a certain extent. That’s not to dissuade people from seeing actual therapists or to devalue their vital work. Painting was just a mood enhancer and lifter. I guess to sum up, I provided the venue and the therapy was the experience of painting. It doesn’t matter with those with dementia if they go away with a masterpiece. They simply enjoyed the process of painting. Those without dementia kind of wanted something to show for their hour of painting. They wanted a finished piece of art. Those with dementia didn’t necessarily want that but I praised them just the same as if it were a masterpiece they created. I hope that helps a little.
Great article - Thank you Denise. I'm volunteering right at the Day Program for Older Adults, but pursuing my ideas of working with seniors as an Art Outreach Facilitator. I wonder what major difference--in your opinion and with your experience - is between practicing art with active and independent seniors vs seniors with dementia? I appreciate your input. Thank you.
I'm so happy to have been of help. I agree about the oil paints. You will have a few ask why you aren't offering oil painting but you will find they are amateur artists who have some experience in oils and not the average senior who has never held a paintbrush before. Please feel free to ask me any other questions. I love being here for those who are willing to share their time and talent with the elderly.
Thank you so much! I was offered a job teaching in a retirement community today and I have a lot of questions. This answered some questions I didn't even know I had! I now see that I have to look at this in a completely different way from teaching emerging to professional artists who are looking to increase skill levels in private lessons and workshops. Also, I think I better leave the oil paints at home : ).
I'm so glad you are continuing the work with the elderly. Not everyone has the temperament, time and patience. It can be challenging but SOOOO rewarding. I too would like to see more recognition of the benefits of arts on all walks of life. I don't know why the average person doesn't really see that but them pays a decorator to decorate their home, or pays an architect or contractor to recreate their kitchen and whatever. Everyone needs and desires art. They just don't always see it. Thanks for commenting.
I'd be happy to give you any tips I may have. I'm so happy you are pursuing helping the elderly. I know you community will benefit greatly from your help. I'll be looking for you on FB. Thank you for commenting.
Hi! I'm so glad I found your website and some details on your work with seniors. I'm based in Canada, Ontario and I'm developing an art program for seniors which I would like to offer in a couple of months. I can see that I can learn from your experience. Would you have some time to chat and give me some more tips on this how to build my plan?
Thank you so much, Marianne.
I'm sorry I don't know anyone in that area of TX but you may be able to find an interested artist by contacting your local arts council. If not here, try looking up any artists groups/painting groups in your area. They often post events in the newspaper with contact numbers or online on Facebook or Twitter. Ask them to spread the word. Surely someone knows someone who would be interested. Don't give up. Thanks for commenting.
That sounds wonderful. I'm very excited to learn more artists are using their gifts to help others and spread beauty in the world. I have so many suggestions that it would be too much to put it here. I'm writing another HubPages article using questions people have asked as a jumping off point. Keep watching here and you will see it soon. For right now I would say you are on the right track. You are a step ahead of most people who want to start something like you described. My rule of thumb was to keep things simple for the elderly. They like a little detail but not much. I create paintings for them that had large areas of wash color with just a few spots of detail. An example would be a snowscape with one little cabin in the distance. It had charm and interest but wasn't too complicated for elderly or children or even the disabled group that occasionally joined us. Thanks for commenting.
I’m so glad I have found you!!. I am a self taught artist, and live in a small rural village. Which is growing. I started an art social group last Oct, which is go8ng really well. , and bow have 15 regulars. I have also started doing art workshops for an elderly group in our village once a month. They love it , as so do I and now I am studying art therapy , especially to help the elderly.
Thanks Margaret. That's very encouraging.
I'll be looking to see what you come up with. I'd be interested in hearing how it's coming or answer any questions you may have. Thanks for commenting.
I'll be looking to do something similar very soon..!
That's a great idea. I don't really know much about editing video but I have thought I have lots to say and need to get a YouTube tutorial channel going. Wish me luck. Thanks for the suggestion.
Have you ever thought of putting tutorials on you tube?? I work with the elderly, I have no art experience BUT I do see the benefits for my residents. It is very difficult finding appropriate material for dementia and alz. residents.
Thank you Holly, but I do have my Master's Degree now and don't just throw words around heedlessly. Still I do think that even before I received my Master's, I was doing therapeutic art. I appreciate your comment.
I think it is wonderful that you share your love of art with the senior community, they definitely need it. However as a registered Art Therapist, I want you to be aware that unless you have received your Master degree in art therapy form a accredited University you should not ethical be referring to the work you do as art therapy. Please take some time to learn more about art therapy by visiting the American Art Therapy Association web site.
That is so nice of you to say. I think I kind of stumbled into it myself. I was looking for something to do with my time when my kids all left home for college and found the seniors were looking for something to do. Keep doing your art. You never know when it will change someone's life. Thanks for commenting.
I'm so very glad if that's true. The seniors deserve all the extras we can possibly give them. Feel free to use my ideas and if you desire, feel free to contact me for more. Thanks for commenting.
I regularly volunteer at a local nursing home for art time. How they love to paint! Your thoughts and experiences are true to mine, and you have given me new ideas and inspiration. Thank you!
I absolutely agree. I think people live longer when they have something to occupy their minds and give then interest in life. As my dear friend put it, it keeps their minds from turning to mush. Maybe I'll see you around sometime. Thanks for commenting.
Art is amazing like that. I'm so sorry to hear you have suffered tragedies, but glad that art is helping you survive. Good for you! Thanks as always for visiting my humble writings.
It's so true. And they are the sweetest people filled with awesome experiences and a lifetime of stories. Who couldn't learn a ton if they just sat quietly and listened? Some of the stories I heard would make your toes curl. Things were different in the 30's and 40's, we have no idea. It is so sad that they canceled my program for lack of funds. Thanks so much for commenting.
This is a wonderful commentary on the value of senior citizens centers in helping seniors continue with meaningful activity during their waning years. The difficulty that they face as they loose their loved ones companionship can be swallowed up in the relationships they form with those at the center. Thank you for providing this valuable service!
Oh thank you. Yes, I believe I'll be there too someday not too distant and I sure want people to treat me with patience and tolerance. I'm already beginning to walk a little slower than I used to... Thanks for commenting.
Well of course. Thank you for all your encouragement. Sometimes all a girl needs is a pat of the back and a high five to feel like any challenge is worthwhile.
I have worked with the elderly, and I think you highlighted some important features of the experience. Pleased that you realize that mental disorder, even the beginning stages of Alzheimer's may be the reason that some steal. Thanks for sharing your very beautiful work!
I love your reflections and honesty, from my observations over the years, every one of your reflections is true.
Bless you for taking on the challenge, and thanks for sharing it with us.
I agree with you. I got a lot out of the session too. Thanks so much for commenting.
Art therapy is one of the best option for the alleviation of stress and is not limited to Senior Citizens only. Thanks for the wonderful article.