Coloring is a simple activity that’s suitable for any skill level, making it a prime creative outlet for those with memory loss. Unlike many other art activities, it doesn’t have a learning curve, and coloring sessions can be as long or as short as the person prefers. Unsurprisingly, it’s a favorite activity among many memory care residents, offering an opportunity for artistic expression while bringing some significant cognitive, social and physiological benefits.
According to a 2018 study about the influence coloring has on mood, those who participate in this activity experience a significant reduction in stress levels and a boost in mood. Although this effect doesn’t last an extended period of time, it shows the effectiveness of coloring as a way to regulate emotions and improve overall attitude.
As Alzheimer's progresses, social interactions often become more challenging. Individuals may not always remember names or faces, leading to frustration and embarrassment that discourages social interactions. Despite this, studies show how important social interactions are for those with dementia, indicating that regular socialization can slow the progression of the disease. Coloring can be a collaborative activity that provides a low-stress way to engage with others and participate in group discussions.
Dementia often brings changes to fine motor skills, impacting someone's ability to dress or feed themselves independently. Coloring provides the opportunity to practice small muscle exercises, helping maintain these skills and retain self-sufficiency for as long as possible.
Many people living with dementia experience a change in their sense of identity and frustration when they’re no longer able to accomplish tasks they used to handle independently. Completing a coloring page provides a sense of accomplishment and can offer a boost in self-esteem. It can also help restore an individual’s confidence in their ability to complete a task.
While coloring doesn’t demand time-honed skills, it does require a methodical approach. Reusing desired colors and making sure all the spaces are filled calls for organization and planning, which are skills that often diminish as memory-related diseases progress. Coloring offers a low-stress way to foster these skills, which can impact other areas of functioning.
For those living with memory-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s, anxiety ranks among the most common symptoms. In the early stages of the disease, individuals may worry about what the future holds, and as the disease progresses, anxiety may evolve into confusion and agitation. Coloring provides a calming distraction, serving as a familiar activity and offering an outlet for emotions.
A 2020 study highlighted the benefits of coloring for those living with memory loss, observing improvements in general language and cognition for those who spent time doing it. The study also found that art therapy, which includes coloring, seemed to improve residents’ ability to concentrate on other tasks, and it minimized the frequency of challenging behaviors such as verbal outbursts and physical aggression.
Coloring offers a healthy, medication-free way to reduce stress, calming the brain and helping the body relax. The ritual itself can be soothing for those living with memory loss, as it’s a noncompetitive activity that can be enjoyed for as little or as long as the individual wants.
While coloring is a simple activity, it requires the individual to focus on the present moment and practice mindfulness. For example, as the resident is focusing on picking the best colors and staying within the lines, their mind is centered on the task at hand rather than being pulled in directions that cause fear or anxiety. Additionally, this activity uses the part of the brain responsible for focus and concentration, which may impact other areas of their daily routine.
Creative activities such as coloring can trigger memories, either from childhood or from events the individual associates with the design they’re coloring or the colors they’re using. Nature scenes, animals or pictures of familiar scenarios can bring memories of the past to mind and give the individual an opportunity to recall and share stories.
Overall, coloring provides a failure-free but structured creative outlet that can help those living with memory loss to connect with others, maintain cognitive and motor functioning and gain a sense of achievement. At Autumn View Gardens in Creve Coeur, we incorporate this and other absorbing activities to help residents engage with others and maintain necessary skills.
