Every Tuesday morning our residents at Generations at Columbus Park look forward to the activity: Baking with Shaquira and Ms. Cookie’s card games. As they gather in the dining hall, the residents are excited for their weekly dose of coloring, reading, cookies and card games. These are a few ways that the residents enjoy their leisure time and keep their minds engaged.
Also these activities have therapeutic purposes for our residents. While they are socializing and anticipating the delicious flavors of their treats they are learning vital nutritional information and enjoying camaraderie by playing cards together.
Many of our residents benefit from coloring, which has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote focus. For the residents that participate in coloring it also has a big health benefit. According to the American Art Therapy Association, the process of making and creating artwork is used to, “explore feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem.”
Previous research has proved anxiety levels dropped when subjects colored mandalas, which are round frames with geometric patterns inside.
Other benefits of coloring:
- incorporate both areas of the cerebral cortex which control vision and help with coordination and fine motor skills
- it can transport the person back to the stress free days of childhood
- the happy memories helps one relax and even feel optimistic and energetic for the future
- can make the individual feel more comfortable and relaxed
- help ignite creativity that transfers to other aspects of their life
Ms. Cookie joins us weekly as a volunteer to play various card games with the residents. She has been a part of the Columbus Park family and the residents look forward to her conversations and excellent game play. When the residents play cards with her they are receiving physical and social benefits such as:
- improving their fine and gross motor skills
- quickening their reflexes by shuffling and dealing the cards
- encourage hand-eye coordination that help stimulate and exercise their mind
- interact with others in an intimate setting while engaging in friendly competition
- entailing strategy, as well as an understanding of statistics and probability
Read more about adults and coloring book therapy and schedule a tour to stop by on Tuesday and join us for cookies and cards!
Learn more about Columbus Park and their services here.