When was the last time you sat down to color? Most of us have probably not know so since we were a kid, or maybe when we were helping our kids learn how to stay within the lines. So why is coloring so popular with seniors? Every Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Facility seems to have coloring on the calendars.
There have been countless articles summarizing the benefits of coloring, here's a short list:
· Improves mood
· Relieves stress
· Reduces agitation
· Promotes socialization and reminiscing
· Provides an outlet for self-expression
· Helps to maintain motor function
· Improves dexterity (grip control)
· Improves hand-eye coordination
If you have doubts, try it yourself. Go to google and type in "adult coloring page" and find whatever sticks out to you to print for yourself. Pick up some coloring pencils, crayons, pens, markers, whatever you have close by, and give yourself just 5 minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time to color your page. How did you feel? Relaxed? Did the world fall away for a bit and all your worries momentarily disappear? Did you catch yourself smiling?
Using good materials will make a difference. If you are printing pages from the internet or making copies of coloring pages from a book, please invest in a thicker paper. Don't use the regular copy paper as it easily bends, crumbles with certain materials, and colors may bleed though. I recommend at least a 32lb weight, it is sturdy enough and has a decent price point, but you can go higher as long as your printer (and wallet) can handle it. Click on the pictures for a direct Amazon link. You can also get some decent drawing and water-coloring paper at your local crafts stores, make sure to check for coupons!
A decent set of coloring pencils, markers, and paints is recommended too. Check out your local Target or Walmart during the back to school season for deals, but stay away from the super
cheap stuff, quality matters! I typically recommend staying away from crayons as they are usually meant for children, but crayons and chalks are really great for blending colors, and your residents might enjoy having those options. I had a resident in a memory care who had absolutely zero interest in any activity, and I spent WEEKS trying different things with no success.
One day, I saw her reaching for a coloring page. I put the page on a clipboard so she can hold onto it at the level she needed and she took some time looking at the design for a few minutes before choosing some crayons. I let her do her thing for a bit, and when I came back around to check, Ms. Kim had used those three crayons to blend the colors so masterfully, I had no idea that was even possible! Her sister was so impressed and thankful, after years of her living a very boring life in that memory care, there was finally something that she found she enjoyed. To date, that is probably my fondest memory of being an activity director.
Something I thought was a fun idea, is doing a big group coloring page. A student in one of my classes said she does this with her ARF residents. They get these big poster size pictures from amazon, hang it up in the hallway, and residents come by and color for as long or little as they like. That may work for our seniors too, or we could set this up on a long table in our activity room for easier access.
When I first searched for these giant coloring pages on amazon, the options were very limited, but since then, a ton more have been added! I like to look for a size that the residents can easily reach top to bottom while sitting at a table, and
long enough for a couple residents to enjoy at the same time. There are other sizes that may work in your ARFs if you post them on a wall to complete. Try doing one for the season as a special group activity. Check out these cute ones I found for fall and Christmas.
As always, all pictures are linked to Amazon products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, so help a gal out, click on the links!
HP Professional Business Paper, Matte, 8.5x11 in, 48 lb, 150 sheets, works with inkjet printers (CH016A)
Currently $27.25, 38% off regular price
WELLOKB Alcohol Markers, 80 Dual Tip Permanent Art Markers for Coloring, Illustrations, and Sketching, Includes Case for Easy Storage, Alcohol, Based Ink Ideal for Book Painting and Card Making
Currently $19.99, 33% off regular price
Mr. Pen- Crayons, Gel Crayons, 12 Pack, Twist up Crayons, Non-Toxic, Silky Crayons for Coloring Book, Bible Journaling, Artist Crayons, Crayons for Adult Coloring
Currently 12 pack for $6.99, 20 pack for $9.85
101 CALMNESS: Adult Coloring Book — Relaxing Book to Calm your Mind and Stress Relief — Beautiful Designs of Animals, Landscape, Beach, House, Birds, Flowers, and more
$8.99
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