Crafting Connections: The Joy of Art and Craft Activities in Assisted Living Communities

Creativity is one of the best remedies to push back against cognitive decline in seniors. When you fully engage your senses to create projects that are uniquely yours, your brain stays sharp. 

Most communities for assisted living in Phoenix offer group crafting and unique art classes. Below, you can learn why these social and creative endeavors are so important after retirement and how you can enjoy them to the fullest. 

Control and Autonomy Over Solo Projects

Arts and crafts allow you to be the leader of your own project. You can finally bring all those brilliant ideas you have to life. Whether through pottery, painting, or simple cutting and gluing, you’re sure to feel in charge when you have a specific craft to focus and work on. 

Thankfully, in assisted living in Phoenix, there are plenty of opportunities to get creative. You can take classes and learn more about art theory and techniques or simply gather your materials and go to town. Either way, you get to be the boss of your crafting journey, and that’s what makes the endeavor so special!

Social Creativity: Collaboration on Art Projects

Solo arts and crafts can be a fun and relaxing hobby, but group projects can be even more beneficial! Senior social health is extremely important, and research has shown time and again that seniors who have strong social bonds fare better in their physical and mental health. As such, staying connected to others could prolong and improve your life. 

Look for group art classes or holiday crafting events that bring people together to work on new projects. Even if you’re simply sitting side by side working on your own crafts, it still helps to encourage connection and socialization. Your community can even come together to collaborate on beautiful, intricate art projects during group classes and events. 

No matter the effort, when you start flexing your social creativity muscle, it gets stronger, and you feel more connected. 

Engaging Your Brain and Strengthening Neural Pathways

Art of any kind engages the parts of your brain that are responsible for creativity and unique ideas, which is great news for seniors, who may need extra stimulation to prevent cognitive decline. 

In addition, as you retain new fine motor skills and challenge your mindset by employing creativity, you literally strengthen your brain. Whenever you learn something new, the neurons in your brain form new pathways, and scientists believe that forging new neural pathways is the key to avoiding memory and cognition problems as an older adult. 

Enjoying Creative Projects in Assisted Living in Phoenix

As you create a new lifestyle for yourself in your assisted living community, it’s a good idea to keep your mind and heart engaged. Find arts and crafts that you love doing and add them to your weekly roster — you won’t regret it!