Psychology for Seniors
basic topics presented especially for senior citizens

 

Creativity

Creative endeavors are great tools for reminiscence, closure, and progress. Many seniors report that they are  busier in their retirement and later years than they were as middle-aged adults with careers and children. Nevertheless, many of us find ourselves with the most precious commodity life has to offer: time.


As life begins to slow, and as the responsibilities of work and family diminish, elderhood can become a time of new or increased creativeness, life review, and preparing a legacy for family and friends. “For many people, retirement acts likes a patron. ‘When you think about the history of art, patrons gave people time and resources to spend on efforts other than making ends meet…It doesn’t mean their talent wasn’t there earlier, but it was not something that could be attended to.’” (Rutherford, E10)  The climate of old age—the slowing, the losses, the solitude, the lessening of responsibility, the freedom of spirit, finitude, frailty, and the silence—can support the creative process by affording us the time and space to do the work.


This module aims to help light the creative spark within us.


Rutherford, M. (2000) Catching their Second Wind: Late in the game, some folks find life’s best rewards. Time (January 31) E5-E10.


Source:  http://www.elderspeak.bigstep.com/generic.html?pid=1