Art therapy: helping the self perception at old age

Abstract

Aging seems to be an one way pathway, in which we get in without a return possibility. However, it is known that all ages can provide pleasure, because all of them have its virtues. Unfortunately, in our society, the elderly is most of the times isolated, alone, making their self-esteem lower and feeling undervalued, getting at the point of losing their identity, not knowing who they are anymore, easily getting depressed and losing their life’s sense. With the Old Age Therapy Project proposal we want to bring to the elderly participants the possibility of expressing all of their life experiences, anguishes, anxieties, fears, losses, joys, through the accomplishment of expressive activities that will be developed once a week. The project serves old adults participants of the attended program at Old Age of Centro Universitário Feevale. The activities occurred on atelier I of Campus I, in the city of Novo Hamburgo (RS). The participants have reported that they felt lighter, more relaxed and calmer since they began these activities.