Art Expressions: Art Therapy Groups for Seniors
In person and virtual group options available
Art History
Powerpoint presentations will include information on the time period (political, social, religious), and on the life and works of specific artists or themes. Pictures of work will be displayed on power point as well and residents will have the opportunity to participate in discussion of the works and will gain background information on them.
Cost: $200 per session
Time Frame: 1 session, 45-60 minutes
No maximum of how many residents may attend
Renaissance series will include: Michelangelo, Leonardo DaVinci, Caravaggio, amongst others. Baroque/Rococo series will include: Artemisia Gentileschi, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, amongst others. Impressionists series will include: Renoir, Monet, and Van Gogh.
Poetry Café
A program meant for residents to express themselves poetically through the use of creative writing prompts including... Free association. Free association was a technique created and implemented by Sigmund Freud who believed this technique could unleash the unconscious and help the patient provide insight into their current circumstances/ emotional r behavioral state. This technique can be used to help residents self-reflect in a fun and non-intimidating way.
- Black Out Poems - This intervention allows a resident to create a poem using the words that are drawn on a page. Similarly to free association the words chosen can often be used as a way for the individual to self-reflect on the meaning of the words at that point in their lives.
- I Am Poem
- Meditation/Favorite Place/writing about the 5 senses
Cost: $175 per session
Time Frame: 30-45 minutes
Maximum # of residents: 8
Art Expressions Group
Art Expressions is an art therapy based group focusing on the therapeutic nature of art making. In this program, the facilitator guides participants with a prompt to help initiate the creative process, self-expression, and exploration of materials. The focus of this group is the process of art making and less on the outcome or product. Participants learn to appreciate their own and others artwork in a creative environment. Several prompts include... Meditation and Mandalas, Self-Portrait as Tree, Rock Painting, Paper Mosaics.
Cost: $200 per group session
Time Frame: 45-60 minutes
Maximum # of residents per session: 8-10
Meet Simona
Simona is a clinical psychotherapist and the director of CSGB's Elder Services Outreach Program. Simona graduated from Lesley University (Cambridge, MA) with a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling and Expressive Therapies, with a specialization in Art Therapy. She has had four years experience in Assisted Living where she has successfully created and implemented numerous therapeutic programs.
"In my years of experience working with the older adults, I have found the power of art-making. Not only can art making and expressive therapy groups create a sense of accomplishment and help individuals socialize with one another by creating a safe space, but it also allows for self-exploration and cathartic expression of emotions that may be difficult for people to otherwise express." - Simona Granfone
Bringing creativity into the lives of seniors
Testimonials
Previous“My name is Kate, and I’ve been working for an assisted living facility for about 4 months. Every month we think about how we can get our residents more engaged and run programs they are interested in. While that seems like a piece of cake, it’s more of a challenge than you would think. My experience with Simona’s art history program sparked to many smiles from residents; their faces lighting up with joy as Simona passes around copies or artwork from great and famous artists. Simona’s art program shows how dedicated she is. You can tell how she has researched each artist and keeps everyone engaged by asking questions about the painting and the artist. Our residents love this program and having these kinds of programs make our residents’ days fulfilling and rewarding”.
KateAssisted living center staff member
"Simona engages our residents with art every time she visits. The discussion & education that she provides guides us to another time period. We enjoy our art groups every time & our residents look forward to her next visit!"
Olivia EvansAssisted living center staff member
