Stone and Shell Craft - Art Therapy for those with Alzheimer's

Such a lovely craft ... inexpensive, easy to do and so so pretty!!

Art Therapy is such an important part of our life now! 

Since introducing arts & crafts into our daily routine over two years ago, I have found it has had great benefits for my mum. She is happier, less agitated and has a purpose to every day now. 

Our latest project is stone and shell craft and we have made some beautiful paper weights!!

We collect our stones from a local river ...

Then using different media ... acrylic paint, nail varnish and glitter we start to transform our stones!

We have also been decorating shells! 

My mum loves pretty things and she is in her element using glitter!

We have found glittered nail varnish is easiest for her to apply.

Felt tip pens can be used to create pretty patterns on the shells.

My mum is so proud of her creations and she loves to give them away ... to doctors, nurses, friends ... in fact anyone who admires them!!

I believe Art Therapy can definitely improve the quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s. 

Art stimulates the brain, triggers memories and allows creative expression.

Every day we dedicate time to an art project with such positive results!

For more photos and ideas please visit my facebook page

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Creative Colouring - Art Therapy for those with Alzheimer's

Art Therapy is becoming one of the most thoroughly documented alternative therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. It is evident that initiatives that help people with Alzheimer's get involved in creative activity obtains surprising results. 

Adult colouring books are popular for stress relief and can be found in craft shops or on Amazon.

I have found these colouring books fantastic for my mum who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's & Vascular Dementia in 2012.

My mum has always been very creative and although the Alzheimer's has taken much of her memory, her creativity has thankfully remained.

Just over 2 years ago I introduced arts & crafts into our daily routine and I have been amazed by how much they have improved my mum's quality of life.

My mum has many creative hobbies, I have posted about how we Make Paper Flowers and our Crafty Containers on my blog.

Creative Colouring is another of her favourite pastimes!

This is something she can do without assistance ... a hobby that she can literally take to bed with her when she's tired :)

She may have forgotten how to draw a picture on her own ... 

... but she has certainly not forgotten how to colour! 

Pencil crayons are a great medium for my mum to work with ... so clean and easy to use.

Water-colour crayons are especially interesting as a little water creates a beautiful effect!

Colouring books allow my mum to use colour to express her feelings and give her a sense of personal accomplishment.

Instead of keeping my mum's creations inside her colouring book we cut out her pictures to use on hand made cards!

We also frame my mum's colourings and display them on the wall ... constant reminders for her that she has created some beautiful pictures :)

Painting and colouring are common hobbies and are excellent ways to relax. 

For people with memory problems, art is much more than just a recreational pastime, art provides a unique way for them to express themselves.

For more photos and ideas please visit my facebook page

LIKE the page to keep up to date with all our projects!

Creative Carer Facebook Page