Group art therapy for residents of long-term care facilities

As the older population of the United States continues to get older, the nation’s need to provide comprehensive, individual care also grows. The rise in the number of nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care facilities around the country is a testament to the desire to honor and care for these individuals in their late life. However, it is often that physical ailments and disease within this population are addressed more frequently than mental health issues. This research seeks to explore the many physical, emotional, and social challenges older adults face in long-term care settings and the intricate connection of these three aspects of health. It will then propose a group art therapy curriculum that endeavors to foster creativity and social connection among residents as they pursue a high quality of life in this late stage.