The Effectiveness of Applying Art Therapy on Social Interaction, Self-esteem and Well-Being for Elderly Residents in Long-Term Care Institutions

The Effectiveness of Applying Art Therapy on Social Interaction, Self-esteem and Well-Being for Elderly Residents in Long-Term Care Institutions

When aging, older people migrate to long-term care institutions. The elderly residents lack autonomy due to the characteristics of group life. The decline of health function or the occurrence of diseases can easily lead to reduced physical activity, decreased interpersonal interaction, social withdrawal, low self-esteem, and decreased well-being. In current that emphasizes the elderly in health promotion and disease prevention activities, art therapy can be applied for the elderly to achieve the purpose of health promotion. Art therapy could effectively improve social interaction, self-esteem, and well-being; but many researchers still suggest that it is necessary to investigate the effectiveness of art therapy for elderly residents in long-term care institutions. The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of art therapy in improving social interaction, self-esteem, and well-being for elderly residents in long-term care institutions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 65 years or older and lived in the same long-term care institution for more than three months.
• Communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese.
• With glasses or hearing aids and other assistive devices can have good vision and hearing functions.
• Both upper limb muscle power ≥ 4 points, can autonomous movement against moderate resistance. Under supervision, can safely use scissors for artistic creation and sit continuously for 90 minutes.
• Score > 20 points on Barthel Index.
• Score > 16 points on Mini-Mental Status Examination.
• Score ≤ 9 points on Geriatric Depression Scale.
• After the researcher's explanation, the participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under 65 years of age, and lived in the same long-term care institution less than three months.
• Severe hearing and vision impaired, making it impossible to communicate.
• Receiving antidepressant drugs or related treatments.
• Completely dependent on activities of daily living.
• Severe depression or severe dementia.
• The elderly are participating in artistic creation-related activities.