Don’t Let Age Define Your Creativity

March 8, 2023

Hobbies like arts and crafts can be a wonderful escape. Whether we’re admiring someone else’s handiwork or creating our own, everyone benefits. Although our hobbies may change based on our abilities, arts and crafts should be enjoyable for a lifetime. Art projects help us to stay happy and can keep us sharp as we age, too!

Art may help to lower stress, improve focus and communication, and raise serotonin levels. Harvard Health explains that serotonin is the chemical responsible for mood regulation and happiness. Increasing serotonin function may help to prevent memory loss.

 

Find Senior Living Near Me

 

At Edgewood, our creative and kind staff offer arts and crafts to meet any ability or interest. Amber Hahn is the life enrichment director at Edgewood in Grand Forks. She explained that when residents want to participate in crafts, staff will help them enjoy the activity, regardless of their ability. “For our residents who have low vision or can’t move their fingers very well, we encourage them to pick out the colors or beads they want to use, show us where they want things placed/glued, etc. We will assist them with whatever they need to involve them in our activities, even if they can’t do it entirely on their own. We do that for every activity here; whether it’s baking or games, you name it, we do everything in our power to include everyone!”

To celebrate National Craft Month this March, here are some ideas to enjoy, whether in your own independent home or you live in assisted living. 

1. Painting

Be as creative as you’d like; paint faces, words, or just beautiful colors onto canvas, rocks, terra cotta pots, or anything you wish! If holding a thin paintbrush doesn’t work well, add a gripper or use a sponge. Sponge painting makes unique images and allows those with unsteady hands to join the fun.

If you choose to paint rocks, share them! As part of the Kindness Rocks Project, leave them in community gardens, landscaping, or along walking paths.

2. Button Art

Clean those unused unused buttons from your junk drawer and put them to work. Using a variety of sizes and colors, glue your buttons to a pre-cut pattern for beautiful results. Many printable patterns are available online that are large enough to cut out and easy to work with. You can also glue your leftover buttons to rocks, picture frames, or garden pots to create friendly faces or fancy flowers.

3. Sculpting

Working with clay, Play-Doh, Silly Putty, or cloud dough is just plain fun! With fast-drying or oven-bake clay, making small planters to house your succulents can be a breeze. Pinch pots are another fun idea. They can be gifts for the kitchen gurus in your life, or they can help organize the paperclips and other supplies in your office.

There are many clay creations to be made, from earrings to window hangings and ornaments. Try a stamp to add a floral inlay, or purchase a personalized stamp to sign your work.

4. Coloring

Coloring is for everybody! There are a variety of adult coloring book options on the market. They come in larger prints and can accommodate thick-tipped markers.

Coloring with chalk is another excellent option. No longer just a dainty white stick, chalk comes in all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes, making it exciting and user-friendly.

If you like to stencil, trace your favorites onto a page and leave them blank. These can be saved for a coloring session later or an artistic activity for your grandkids to appreciate when they visit.

5. Beading

Beading might sound like a difficult craft, but with larger beads on the market, it can be a lot more accessible than you think! Beads can add a mixed-media look to your sculpture, or they can be strung to make a variety of ornaments, window hangings, or even cute necklaces.

If you’re struggling or unable to complete the hobbies you used to enjoy because of pain or arthritis, don’t give up. Consider outpatient physical and occupational therapy. Therapists can work with you to move in a way that reduces your pain. They also focus on helping you regain your independence, including getting you back to the activities you love.

If you’re looking for senior living solutions with endless social opportunities, we’ve got you covered! With fun activities and outings, delicious meals, and on-site healthcare, Edgewood has what you need to succeed. Reach out to us at info@edgewoodhealthcare.com today.

Related Posts

View All News
Three female Edgewood staff wearing Edgewood Branded t-shirts

June 13, 2025

Familiar and Comfortable: The Senior Living Advantage of On-Site Healthcare

    Where Everybody Knows Your Name   Remember that old theme song from Cheers? “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name…” There’s just something comforting about being surrounded by people who really know you. That sense of familiarity makes a house feel like home, and in senior living communities, it’s a […]

Read More
Beverages lined up on a countertop

June 4, 2025

Thirst Things First: Why Staying Hydrated is Important for Seniors

Hydration Needs Change   Does it feel like just yesterday when you were a kid, running barefoot through the grass, drinking no more than a few sips from a garden hose with your friends during the summer? Those days were easy and carefree, but as we age and become seniors, staying hydrated requires more attention, […]

Read More
Edgewood Hermantown building exterior

May 21, 2025

Edgewood in Hermantown is Celebrating 25 Years!

Edgewood Healthcare Hermantown is Celebrating 25th Years, & Hosting a Celebration   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News Release Contact: Brian Haselman Title: Executive Director, Edgewood Healthcare, Hermantown Phone: 701-738-2000   (Hermantown, MN) Edgewood Healthcare will host a 25th anniversary celebration on Thursday, May 29. The event will feature live entertainment, tours, delicious appetizers and refreshments, and a […]

Read More
Image of two hands and a yellow flower between them

May 14, 2025

Better Mental Health for Seniors: Recognizing the Signs and Finding the Right Support

The Journey to Better Mental Health for Seniors   Mental health is just as important as physical health, but for many older adults, it wasn’t something openly discussed in the past. Thankfully, that’s changing. Today, more people understand that mental health challenges like depression or anxiety are common and that it’s absolutely okay to reach […]

Read More