Seniors & the Arts: How Older Adults Are Getting Creative

Which creative avenues are you excited to explore in your retirement? With newfound downtime, the opportunities for participating in the arts are endless – especially at Wyndemere!

Our Life Plan Community in Wheaton, Illinois, makes it easy for seniors to live vibrantly, discover new passions, and re-hone their artistic skills. Why? Because we’re focused on total wellness when it comes to your healthy aging. From independent living to assisted living and memory care, we’ve set in motion a philosophy for all residents to experience whole-body wellness.

Learn more about how you and residents at Wyndemere can flex your creative muscles during your retirement years, below.

10 creative outlets in retirement

Creativity and aging make the perfect pair. Staying creative in retirement is not only enjoyable but also beneficial for mental and emotional cognitive functions and reducing stress (American Art Therapy Association). Nearly all of the following opportunities are currently available on-site for Wyndemere residents. For opportunities not offered on-site, the team at Wyndemere is happy to make recommendations for engaging options offered through local community services.

Artistic Pursuits

• Painting and drawing – Seniors can explore visual arts as a means of self-expression.
• Crafts – Engaging in crafts like knitting, crocheting, ceramics, or woodworking can be  creative and relaxing.
• Photography – Learning photography and capturing the beauty of the world can be a fulfilling creative pursuit.

Writing

• Journaling – Keeping a daily journal can be a therapeutic way to express thoughts and emotions.
• Creative writing – Seniors can try their hand at creative writing, including short stories, poetry, or memoirs.

Music

• Learning an instrument – Picking up a musical instrument, even if it’s for the first time, can be a rewarding experience.
• Singing – Joining a local choir or singing group are creative activities that provide social interaction. Or, simply turn on your favorite tunes and sing about your home in private. There’s true joy in music!

Culinary arts

• Cooking and baking – Trying new recipes, experimenting with ingredients, and cooking creatively can be fun and delicious.
• Cooking classes – To make the culinary arts more social, join a cooking class with friends or attend one solo to make new friends who share your love for food.

Gardening

• Landscaping – Designing and maintaining a garden can be a form of artistic expression and a connection to nature.
• Floral arranging – Creating floral arrangements is a creative way to bring beauty indoors.

Education

• Taking lifelong learning classes – Seniors can enroll in classes or workshops to learn new skills, whether it’s painting, writing, or photography.
• Book clubs – Joining a book club can stimulate the mind and provide a platform for discussing classic and modern literature.

Technology

• Digital arts – Exploring digital art through graphic design or digital photography can be a modern and accessible creative outlet.
• Podcasting – Creating a podcast allows seniors to share stories, insights, and experiences with a wider audience.

Social Activities

• Community theater – Participating in community theater productions can be a fantastic way to express creativity and make new friends.
• Creative arts groups – Joining art programs, clubs, or groups provides social interaction and a platform to share creative ideas.

Brain Games

• Puzzles and games – Engaging in puzzles, board games, or strategy games can stimulate the mind and provide a creative challenge.
• Escape rooms – This group activity really puts your mind and ability to work as a team to the test. They’re very fun, too!

 Volunteering

• Nonprofit work – Volunteering for nonprofit organizations in the arts space allows seniors to contribute their skills and creativity to meaningful causes.

It’s important for seniors to explore different activities and find what resonates with them personally. Staying creative in retirement is about embracing new experiences, staying curious, and enjoying the freedom to pursue passions.

Retire in Wheaton, Illinois, and Dive Into a Creative Lifestyle

For residents at our retirement community, staying creative is of the highest importance. With a variety of activities to choose from, there are many opportunities to keep creating and learning even in retirement. Give us a call at 630-755-5006 to learn more.