Art Projects

Paint & Create

Who Can Do These Projects

These projects are designed with the homecare provided in mind, but all healthcare professionals: activities directors, and those involved with therapeutic recreational programs can benefit. All the projects are age appropriate for adult seniors at all levels of skill; from the independent, highly functional individual to the very low functioning person with advanced dementia. Not only it is quite possible to use the same project for various group skill levels, it is also advantageous to include smaller children in on the fun, especially when they want to do something with grandma. I have had children as young as 3 included in my adult classes. With some cueing they too were quite able to paint a pumpkin or help to make holiday decorations.

Materials Used

Nearly all of the projects are created out of recycled materials like brown paper grocery bags, organic materials such as leaves, found objects from a dresser drawer or old photos from a family album. Still others are fashioned from liquor boxes, old buttons and plastic bags. You don't have to be an artist to do these projects or even have an aptitude toward painting and design. Forget all that. Most of the recipes for paint and clay can be mixed up in your kitchen, and all of the projects are easy to do. They were designed and planned for the caregiver who has no budget for such things.

Equipment Needed

Taking the time to create a work area initially will be beneficial in that it provides habitual orientation; the key to recapturing a distracted or confused mind. I would suggest setting up an old card table to do the art projects, but the kitchen table will do just fine. I store all of my miscellaneous materials in a cardboard box. Having all the materials in one box makes it easier to stash away under the kitchen sink or in a broom closet. Lighting is also important. Have the work area situated in front of a window and/or a table lamp so that it is possible to see well. Low light is troublesome for anyone who can't see well.

In order to get off to a good start I recommend keeping a basic supply "kit" on hand for all occassions: a stack of newspapers, which come in handy for covering the surface you want to protect; Elmer's glue is something that can be used to "sew" fabric, mend a paper tear or when mixed with a little water becomes a soluble varnish; a supply of non-toxic tempera paint which can be purchased at most craft stores, or you can use my recipe to mix your own batch; several paintbrushes, these can be purchased on sale at most craft or hardware stores; and finally, an old shirt to protect clothing from spills.

There are materials listed that you might decide to purchase, but they are described in detail for the inexperienced shopper who might wonder: "What is raffia, Modpodge, or Muslin?

A Warning

I do not recommend driving down to the local arts and crafts store to purchase one of those elaborate painting and drawing kits. You know the kind that Aunt Sally got last year for Christmas? Typically they are packaged in cute boxes or large black cases with carrying straps; on the inside there is a large ensemble of colored pencils, or oil pastels, magic markers and tubes of paint. For one thing they are too many pieces inside and that will only confuse and frustrate your parent or client. For another, they are expensive and not worth the money; you are paying for the packaging. The materials inside are usualy of inferior quality. If you are going to purchase paint stick to the non-toxic tempera kinds that come in large, easy to use plastic bottles.