This assignment was an interesting one, I chose older adults with memory loss due to my connection with my grandma. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and greatly affected by memory loss. By doing research I was better able to understand this issue. Older adults may suffer from memory loss, which often inhibits individuals' cognitive functioning and can cause other symptoms. These symptoms of memory loss can be challenging and affect other parts of the individual’s life. Art therapy interventions have been implemented to help with these challenges the population is faced with. In this literature review, I look into articles about memory loss and how art therapy interventions have been implemented. Specific articles will be discussed on how the use of art therapy has helped improve the quality of life and increase enjoyment and independence for older adults. Those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are also discussed and describe how art therapy interventions may be implements with them as well.
Introduction and Statements of Topic to be Researched
Loss of memory can be a common issue among older adults (Mateos et al., 2016). Most memory loss is associated with aging, but it can also be due to the development of cognitive impairments (Mateos et al., 2016). While memory loss alone can be a symptom of aging in older adults (Ehresman, 2014), it can also include other symptoms. Memory loss can come with mood changes, disorientation, issues in problem-solving, and possible personality changes (Ehresman, 2014; Jones & Hays, 2016). Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are both cognitive issues affecting older adults and are associated with memory loss. Elderly individuals are significantly affected by Alzheimer’s disease, which is one major healthcare problem in all countries (Musha, Kimura, Kaneko, Nishida, & Sekine, 2000). Many different interventions have been implemented to try and reduce memory loss for older adults, but there is no medical treatment currently available (Ehresman, 2014).
Art therapy has many different populations it can benefit, as well as many forms of media that can be implemented. Art therapy is typically used to evoke emotional expression, but cognitive functioning can be addressed (Pike, 2013). The artistic activity in art therapy can positively affect an individual’s quality of life as well as someone’s social and emotional growth (Tucknott-Cohen & Ehresman, 2016). The art therapy process provides a different way to communicate, a nonverbal way to express feelings that otherwise would be stuck within (Geller, 2013). Some studies have found cognitive performance in older adults has increased after art therapy interventions (Pike, 2013). Interventions like these are important due to the rising rate of older adults and ethnic minority growing, which is causing healthcare to increase overall (Pike, 2013).
Memory loss affects many people and it can be a difficult time for persons experiencing the symptoms. About 35.6 million people worldwide are affected by memory loss issues such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and the numbers keep increasing every year (Ehresman, 2014). Many interventions have been implemented to help, including art therapy. Art therapy intervention, with older adults who suffer from memory loss, has been found to help increase the quality of life and growth in one’s independence (Geller, 2013). In this paper, different techniques of art intervention will be discussed as well as how the interventions affect older adults suffering from memory loss.
Art therapy and Older Adults
Geller (2013) implemented an art therapy intervention for older adults at a nursing home. The groups met two times weekly and included 8 to 10 nursing home residents. The goal within sessions was to “encourage socialization and provide the stimulus for learning something new” as well as to create a comforting environment where emotions could be processed (Geller, 2013, p. 202). Some art materials used included oil pastels, tempera paints, clay, and drawing mandalas. Throughout the experience of working with older adults in a nursing home, Geller believed, through Jungian art therapy, that residents were able to discover symbols of themselves and found the residence has an “inner source of knowing” despite the symptoms associated with aging (Geller, 2013, p. 211).
Pike (2013) studied the effect of cognitive art therapy intervention on an ethnically diverse sample of older adults. A 10-week art therapy intervention was implemented for populations from community centers, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, adult daycare, and nursing homes. This study is important because it looks at a more diverse population of older adults rather than the ‘typical’ Caucasian population. The results of this study showed a positive effect on cognitive performance and could be a way to address cognitive impairments for the rising older population.
Buchalter (2011) states art therapy can benefit older adults in countless ways. Older adults may suffer from poor memory along with a variety of issues including sadness, loneliness, loss or death, change, difficulty seeing or hearing, boredom, and illness. Art is a creative way to help with these issues older populations may deal with. Art provides coping techniques that help the population with problem-solving, focusing, mindfulness, expression, anxieties, fear, learning new skills, and gives them reasons to strive, learn, and grow. These techniques are geared to the higher-functioning older adult, but issues still arise while working within this population. Physical issues of individuals need to be considered for implementing art therapy and the flexibility of the therapist and the client are both required.
Art Therapy with Diagnosed Diseases
Giovagnoli et al. (2017) conducted a controlled randomized study, which tested cognitive treatments against non-cognitive therapies with people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. These clients were from one location and all participating had mild to moderate dementia and impairments in memory. Art and music therapy would be considered a non-cognitive treatment, but it is important to witness and understand how other research can affect the population so that others can improve within future research. This study showed the improvement of stabilization in clients considerably increased compared to non-cognitive therapies. They also found that both cognitive and non-cognitive treatments improved mood within clients.
Magniant (2004) looks at art therapy with older adults, specifically people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Discussed were the pro and cons of art therapy with this population. Many techniques can be implemented for this population like pottery, poetry, sand tray, and life books. It is important to understand what dementia is, so therapists can better understand how to serve and help their clients. Dementia is a decrease in mental functioning, which can affect language, memory, vision, and judgment. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common of dementia and it diminishes a person’s mental and physical state while progressively getting worse with time. Creating art-making programs for Alzheimer’s clients is significant because it allows the opportunity to express and communicate in times when they are suffering from the impact of this frustrating disease.
Musha et al. (2000) conducted a study on the effect art therapy can have when applied to diagnosed clients with dementia. The art therapy goal was to create an enjoyable activity while also building relationships between client and artist. This study looked at art therapy interventions and creating art activity for those diagnosed with early-onset dementia and family care counseling. The active art therapy intervention found creating was an effective way to communicate for those unable to communicate verbally and the patients showed high levels of joy while participating. While not analyzing artwork and encouraging the patients, the results showed this technique being a successful intervention increasing patients’ enjoyment.
Ehresman (2014) conducted a review of the benefits art therapy can have with those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The author found that art therapy can benefit people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease by allowing sensory stimulation, social interaction, and creativity to clients. The self-expression, which is associated with art therapy, stimulates those diagnosed and provides coping strategies, positive emotions, and acceptance of life changes as well as increases in the quality of life.
Identify Relationships to Studies and Concepts
Buchalter (2011), Geller (2013), and Pike (2013) all implement art therapy intervention for older adults. Geller looked at older adults within nursing homes, while Pike looked at a variety of populations such as community centers, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, adult daycare, as well as nursing homes. Giovagnoli et al. (2017) looked at individuals diagnosed but compared cognitive treatments to non-cognitive, specifically active music-therapies. These studies characterize their populations, not by diagnosis or of diseases, but of age and location. Buchalter provided art therapy technique that is geared toward high functioning older adults and not toward those who are diagnosed. In Musha et al. (2000) and Ehresman (2014) studies, they specifically are looking at diagnosed older adults who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Art therapists can grow and learn from working with older adults and those with diagnosed diseases and use what they have found for future research and advance our knowledge of the population as a whole.
Buchalter (2011) and Magniant (2004) are books that both specifically looks at the older population and treating them. These sources also look at how art therapy can benefit the population in many ways and gives examples and suggestions on how to implement art therapy toward this population. Buchalter (2011) looks more are older adults who are high functioning but still suffer from symptoms of older age while Magniant (2004) narrows down her population to those diagnosed my dementia or Alzheimer’s diseases. The concept for both is the same. Art therapy allows an opportunity for creativity for this population, which is extremely helpful and can provide a way for older adults to express themselves and build coping techniques.
Contradictions, Gaps, and Inconsistencies in the Literature
Gaps of research can include the randomization within studies and the small populations and locations where samples can be collected can make studies be difficult and less generalizable (Pike, 2013). Another gap is the lack of research that has been completed on art therapy and the population of older adults, specifically those who have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (Ehresman, 2014). A gap between art therapy and older adults would be the lack of representation of culturally diverse populations that have not been thoroughly studied (Pike, 2013). How studies are set up can also create limitations and gaps. In Pike’s (2013) study, the art therapist was both the therapist and investigator which might have created skewed and biased results.
One contraction within this review and the articles could be the mistake that all memory loss is diagnosable with Alzheimer’s disease. Some memory loss will happen with older age, it is normal and to be expected (Jones & Hays, 2016). Not all people will develop the same issues in older age, but many symptoms do arise, and art therapy has proven to be a helpful treatment and way to express feelings within. An inconsistency within this article would be the use of age distinguishers. The words ‘older adults’ are not a clear representation of age and are not clearly defined. Many may be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and not fall in the category of ‘older age.’ My own grandmother was diagnosed at the age of 60 and others have been diagnosed at earlier ages. This inconsistency may create issues for future research within the population. While dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affect ‘older adults,’ ‘elderly,’ or ‘seniors’ articles should be clear toward actual age representation and distinguishers to prevent form misrepresentation and confusion.
Future Research
Future studies might include researching what type of art therapy technique could be the most useful for the older adult population suffering from memory loss. This includes researching the emotional influence of the art changes or if some techniques could be better implemented for this population (Musha et al., 2000). More research is needed to find the effect art therapy can have on people diagnosed with dementia and if the behavior improves or quality of life increases (Ehresman, 2014). In the Pike (2013) study, the limitation of education and literacy affected their research. In past research, verbal communication was needed, which created an issue in which only older adults whose first language was English were studied. This study implemented art therapy to help with a more multicultural or diverse population to study from. Overall, more research is needed surrounding multicultural populations. Future studies might implement distance between the therapist and investigator to decrease possible bias (Pike, 2013).
Conclusion
The author's literature review goes over different studies covering art therapy interventions working with older adults suffering from memory loss. Memory loss is not something new for older adults, but the rates of diagnosis of memory loss disease are rising which means more research and interventions are needed to help this population (Pike, 2013). Art therapy intervention has proven to be a useful tool to improve quality of life and enjoyment for older adults (Geller, 2013), but more research is needed to look deeper at the effect art therapy interventions can have for older adults who suffer from memory loss.
References
Buchalter, S. I. (2011). Art Therapy and Creative Coping Techniques for Older Adults. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Retrieved from http://uc.opal-libraries.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=420407&site=eds-live&scope=site
Ehresman, C. (2014). From rendering to remembering: Art therapy for people with Alzheimer’s disease. International Journal of Art Therapy, 19(1), 43–51. Doi:10.1080/17454832.2013.819023
Geller, S. (2013). Sparking the creative in older adults. Psychological Perspectives, 56(2), 200–211. Retrieved from http://uc.opal-libraries.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2013-20559-009&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Giovagnoli, A. R., Manfredi, V., Parente, A., Schifano, L., Oliveri, S., & Avanzini, G. (2017). Cognitive training in Alzheimer’s disease: A controlled randomized study. Neurological Sciences, 38(8), 1485–1493. doi:10.1007/s10072-017-3003-9
Jones, R. M. N., & Hays, N. S. (2016). Ron Hays: A story of art as self-treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Art Therapy, 33(4), 213–217. doi:10.1080/07421656.2016.1231557
Magniant, R. C. P. (2004). Art Therapy with Older Adults: A Sourcebook. Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas. Retrieved from http://uc.opal-libraries.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=457595&site=eds-live&scope=site
Mateos, P. M., Valentin, A., González-Tablas, M. del M., Espadas, V., Vera, J. L., & Jorge, I. G. (2016). Effects of a memory training program in older people with severe memory loss. Educational Gerontology, 42(11), 740–748. doi:10.1080/03601277.2016.1205401
Musha, T., Kimura, S., Kaneko, K.-I., Nishida, K., & Sekine, K. (2000). Emotion spectrum analysis method (ESAM) for monitoring the effects of art therapy applied on demented patients. Cyber Psychology & Behavior, 3(3), 441–446. doi:10.1089/10949310050078904
Pike, A. A. (2013). The effect of art therapy on cognitive performance among ethnically diverse older adults. Art Therapy, 30(4), 159–168. doi:10.1080/07421656.2014.847049
Tucknott-Cohen, T., & Ehresman, C. (2016). Art therapy for an individual with late stage dementia: A clinical case description. Art Therapy, 33(1), 41–45. doi:10.1080/07421656.2016.1127710
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