Abstract
This case series examines how open-studio art therapy can enhance the quality of life for older adults living in a developed country context, specifically within a complex care home in Canada. The study aimed to understand how sustained engagement in group art-making influenced emotional well-being, cognitive engagement, and social connection–domains critical to the quality of life in late life. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, ten participants aged 53 to 99, living with diverse cognitive physical conditions including dementia, Parkinson’s disease, a stroke, and depression, attended twice-weekly, three-hour open-studio art therapy sessions between 2011 and 2015. Sessions followed a non-directive format, enabling participants to freely choose painting and drawing materials in an inclusive, person-centred environment. Data sources included observational field notes, participants’ artwork, and reflective session documentation, with analyses using bracketing and thematic synthesis. Findings reveal recurring themes of identity preservation, emotional regulation, memory recall, symbolic communication, and enhanced interpersonal relationships. Over time, participants demonstrated great confidence, autonomy, and trust within the group. The open-studio setting fostered aesthetic exploration, social support, and psychosocial resilience, highlighting how art-based, person-centred interventions in long-term care can promote quality of life for older adults in developed countries.
Presenters
Heesu JeonAssistant Professor and Director of Training, Master of Counselling Psychology Art Therapy, Adler University, British Columbia, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Art Therapy/Aging/Dementia/Quality of Life/Phenomenology/Complex Care/Case Study
