Art Therapy and Creative Coping Techniques for Older Adults

The vast number of activities makes this a valuable resources and a starting point for those planning their own activities. There is a useful index that allows the readers to search by emotion, materials or subject. Each of the activities is well planned in terms of physical resources. -- NursingTimes.net Buchalter's clear, imaginative and empathic way of explaining this creative work with older people and the offering of man moving stories and illustrations arising from it, gives a sense that her therapy groups are places of real dialogue with older people as dynamic, surprising and whole individuals, rather that abstract and quantifiable problems to be solved. I liked the fact that every group member mentioned is named, and that each group session whether drawing, writing, reminiscing, creating collages, movement or music, allowed for the participants' self-reflection and mutual support... Without needing to be an art or music expert, I could dip in and out of this book as people to perceive themselves as images of God, to creatively and thus living their lives towards their promised fullness. There is such a dearth of practical, older-people led resources, I constantly have to adapt from resources for younger people, for my own ministry, so I am encouraged and rather pleased by the author's counter cultural generations and disciplines. Certainly the vast and diverse array of issues embraced in her work has universal relevance, but Buchalter's dealing with these issues in the particular context of older people reveals ageing as a time for personal growth , healing and potential, a rich varied seam of experience to offer back to every generation. -- Plus, Quarterly magazine of Christian Council on Ageing Reading this book sparks thoughts about your own creative ideas for working with older people. If you are an artist, a carer or an activities facilitator looking for new ways to engage a group then this is a great resource to dip into for inspiration. -- Dementia UK