ARTISTIC MEDIA TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE ELDERLY

Abstract

Artistic media can help to improve the quality of life for the elderly. This coloring book for the elderly can be formatted in various ways, depending on the benefits that one is seeking. To illustrate I am presenting here an adult coloring book with a floral pattern “Flower for you.” Its pages feature flowers in full bloom. On the cover, flowers and other plants cling to one another continuously, raising their branches to form an elegant curve.

 The free swirl of color shows the book's color scheme and invites one to look inside and bring each flower to life with color. The pages of the book present contoured, lifelike forms that combine to create fantasy stories. The floral shapes only await their embellishment with color to be complete. The book brings one close to nature and gives free play to each artist's imagination.

 Seniors with varying backgrounds can enjoy this creative activity in accordance with their own experience and aptitude for visual art. It allows one to relax and enjoy the process of coloring with no fear of being wrong in one's results. The activity is designed to evoke pride in oneself and in the value of one's own created work-with the main goal of fostering a deep connection and friendship in the community and the family.