The gentle melody of a familiar song or the vibrant strokes of a paintbrush can unlock emotions and memories even when words fail. For people living with dementia, art and music often serve as bridges to their past and present, allowing them to connect with loved ones in profound ways. Creative activities can provide moments of joy, reduce anxiety, and improve overall wellbeing when traditional communication becomes challenging. At Hovi Care, we’ve witnessed how artistic expression becomes a powerful tool for meaningful connection during the later stages of life.
The family approach to creative therapy
At Hovi Care, we believe that creative therapy should feel like a familiar embrace rather than a clinical intervention. Our family-oriented philosophy means we approach art and music programmes with the same warmth and care you would offer to your own loved ones. We understand that each person has unique preferences and connections to different creative forms, which is why we take the time to learn about individual tastes and histories.
When introducing creative activities, we consider personal preferences—whether someone enjoyed classical music in their youth, loved to dance, or perhaps had a passion for watercolour painting. This individualised approach honours each person’s identity and helps create moments of genuine engagement. Our staff members are trained to recognise and respect these preferences, ensuring that creative sessions feel personal and meaningful rather than generic.
The family connection extends beyond just staff and residents. We actively encourage family members to participate in creative sessions, creating shared experiences that strengthen bonds even as verbal communication may become more challenging. These shared creative moments often become treasured memories for families navigating the journey of dementia together.
Why do creative activities matter?
Creative activities are far more than pleasant pastimes—they’re vital tools for social, cognitive, and physical rehabilitation. For people living with dementia, art and music can unlock abilities and emotions that might otherwise remain hidden.
Music, in particular, has remarkable effects on wellbeing. Research shows that familiar melodies can help reduce heart rate and blood pressure, relieve muscle tension, and trigger feel-good hormones called endorphins. These physical benefits often translate to reduced agitation and increased comfort for people with dementia.
Beyond the physical benefits, creative activities support cognitive functioning by improving:
- Attention and concentration
- Memory recall and recognition
- Speech and non-verbal communication
- Expression of feelings and ideas
At Hovi Care, we’ve observed how art and music help our residents maintain connections with others and their own identities. A person who rarely speaks may suddenly sing along to a favourite song, or someone with limited mobility might become animated when hearing a beloved melody. These moments of engagement represent meaningful experiences that contribute to an enjoyable life, regardless of cognitive challenges.
Art and music in cosy environments
The environment plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of creative therapy. Hovi Care spaces are thoughtfully designed to be cosy, stimulating, and secure, creating the perfect backdrop for artistic exploration. We believe that the right setting can enhance creative expression and make therapeutic activities more effective.
Our creative spaces incorporate soft lighting, comfortable seating, and acoustics that enhance musical experiences. We take care to minimise distractions and create a sense of safety that encourages exploration and expression. This attention to environmental details helps residents feel more at ease, which is particularly important for people with dementia who may feel disoriented in unfamiliar settings.
Technology enhances these specially designed environments, with tools specifically selected for rehabilitation, therapy, and entertainment. From simple-to-use digital music players that can be loaded with personalised playlists to interactive art applications that accommodate different abilities, we integrate technology that supports creative expression without creating frustration.
Simple touches make a significant difference—positioning artwork at eye level, ensuring good lighting for art activities, and creating intimate spaces for small music groups. These environmental considerations help transform everyday spaces into places where creativity and comfort naturally flourish.
Creativity and Wellbeing theme implementation
The ‘Creativity and Wellbeing’ theme is a cornerstone of many Hovi Care units, reflecting our commitment to using creative approaches to enhance quality of life. This theme manifests in daily activities, specialised programmes, and the overall atmosphere of our care environments.
In our themed units, creative activities aren’t occasional events but integrated components of daily life. Residents might start their day with gentle movement to music, enjoy art during afternoon sessions, and wind down with calming melodies in the evening. This consistent yet varied approach ensures that creative engagement remains fresh and stimulating.
Our implementation includes various forms of creative expression:
- Music therapy sessions led by trained facilitators
- Art activities adapted to different ability levels
- Karaoke sessions that create emotional and social experiences
- Dance and movement programmes that combine physical exercise with creative expression
- Themed creative activities that connect with holidays, seasons, and cultural celebrations
For people with memory challenges, we’ve found that regularly scheduled creative activities provide a comforting rhythm to the day. Even when someone may not remember participating in yesterday’s music session, they often respond positively to the familiar routines and emotional connections that recurring creative activities establish.
Connecting through nature-inspired creativity
Nature has a unique ability to evoke memories and emotional responses, which is why Hovi Care incorporates elements from the natural world into our creative activities. Our Green Care experiences combine the therapeutic benefits of nature with creative expression, creating powerful opportunities for reminiscence and connection.
These nature-inspired creative activities might include:
- Painting or drawing sessions inspired by seasonal changes
- Creating collages using pressed flowers, leaves, or other natural materials
- Music sessions that incorporate nature sounds or songs about the natural world
- Sensory activities using herbs, flowers, or other natural elements
We’ve observed that nature-themed creative activities often trigger positive recollections from childhood or significant life events. A simple activity like arranging flowers or painting a landscape can unlock memories of gardens tended long ago or favourite outdoor places. These emotional connections help people with dementia maintain their sense of identity and personal history.
The combination of nature and creativity also provides multi-sensory stimulation—the scent of herbs, the texture of natural materials, the visual appeal of flowers—engaging the mind on multiple levels and creating richer experiences for people living with dementia.
Supporting families through creative engagement
When a loved one has dementia, finding meaningful ways to connect can become increasingly challenging. At Hovi Care, we recognise that creative activities offer unique opportunities for families to maintain bonds even as verbal communication changes. We actively support family members in discovering new ways to connect through shared artistic experiences.
Family visits can be enhanced through creative engagement in several ways:
- Listening to favourite music together and perhaps dancing or moving to the rhythm
- Looking through photo albums while playing meaningful songs
- Creating simple art projects side by side
- Singing familiar songs together
These shared creative moments often reduce anxiety for both the person with dementia and their family members. We’ve seen how music, in particular, can help improve social communication—both verbal and non-verbal—between people with dementia and their caregivers. Simple actions like making eye contact while singing or holding hands while swaying to music create powerful connections.
Our commitment to transparent operations and open communication extends to helping families understand how creative engagement works and why it matters. We offer guidance on selecting appropriate activities, demonstrate techniques during family visits, and share observations about individual responses to different creative approaches. This collaborative approach ensures that creative engagement becomes a shared journey between residents, staff, and families.
At Hovi Care, we believe that creativity isn’t just an activity—it’s a lifeline that connects people across the challenges of dementia. Through thoughtfully designed environments, family-oriented approaches, and nature-inspired activities, we help ensure that art and music continue to bring comfort, joy, and meaningful connection in the later stages of life. If you’re looking for ways to better connect with your loved one through creative activities, we welcome you to explore our services and discover how our family-oriented approach to elderly and dementia care can support your journey.
