Collage Therapy with Elders: Group Socialization and Communication Beyond Words

Author

Cassandra Knowles-TrueFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-2-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Meg Chang

Abstract

Abstract

Dementia is a cognitive disease which impacts a person’s ability to verbally communicate and to emotionally socialize due to degeneration of the brain. Nonpharmacological approaches to dementia care have become more common as we look for more holistic approaches to caring for the entire person, and not just the brain functions and limitations. A new focus on the social and emotional needs of individuals with dementia has led to the use of expressive arts therapies, as therapeutic interventions in dementia care, in many nursing homes and senior centers. Collage therapy is particularly accessible, as an arts-based intervention, as the already existing images allow the individuals to engage in the arts process with less confusion. The low-stakes/high-success intervention creates an atmosphere of socialization and conversation connection as individuals share images and emotions with one another.

Keywords: collage, dementia, communication, non-verbal communication, social connection

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Knowles-True, Cassandra, "Collage Therapy with Elders: Group Socialization and Communication Beyond Words" (2020). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 291.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/291