When you age, you might reminisce old memories of your childhood or working life. You may have a collection of photographs or notes that you collected throughout your life which may have a special place in your heart. A good way to preserve these memories would be to create scrapbooks filled with valuable and memorable stuff you have collected. Scrapbooking is occasionally used as part of memory therapy, which has been shown to improve elderly brain health, particularly in individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Here are five reasons why scrapbooking is one of the great activity ideas for seniors!
Mental Acuity
According to research, remembering the past can help the brain build new neural pathways. This process is known as neuroplasticity. Arranging your memories in a tangible way aids mental precision and naturally improves the cognitive abilities of your loved one. Scrapbooking can encourage your loved one to connect with their family, friends, and caregivers more frequently, maintaining his or her mind active and sharp.
Self-Worth
Lowering your risk of depression and dementia can be as simple as remembering people, experiences, and feelings. Scrapbooking may also assist you to feel less anxious as creative pursuits can aid you to rediscover your sense of purpose. Scrapbooking can be an outlet to express yourself creatively and serve as a biography of your achievements for future generations.
Socialization
Scrapbooking can be a great way to socialize with the people around you. For example, when you are working on your scrapbook, your caregivers, family, or friends may ask questions, which makes it more enjoyable and stimulating. Scrapbooking can also be a delightful social experience if you talk about your travels, the individuals in the photos, or why a certain item is valuable or memorable to you. This can strengthen your connection to the present, encouraging you to live in the present rather than reminiscing about the past.
Dexterity
Scrapbooking is also a great way to strengthen your hands. According to studies, increased cognition has been shown to have a direct impact on fine motor abilities. As scrapbooking requires you to spread glue across the paper, twist off glue caps, and cut with scissors, these actions can help you with your hand and eye coordination. Having a healthy and active body can have a favorable impact on your thinking by increasing productivity and improving happiness.
Therapeutic
When you work on your scrapbook, it can be highly therapeutic as you are focused on crafting and utilizing your creative abilities to create a wonderful book of memories. Scrapbooking can provide feelings of fulfillment, contentment, and accomplishment. Scrapbooking can be a lot of fun and put your mind at ease while you find the perfect supplies and put your photographs and text together in a visually appealing way.
Experience Exciting Activities at TerraBella Riverplace
Want to experience fun activities while living a maintenance-free lifestyle? You can do so in our independent living community! Here, our dedicated team plans and hosts plenty of recreational and socialization activities for our residents through our exclusive senior living programs. You can also enjoy our resort-style amenities when you reside with us. For more information, contact us today!
