Creating connections to life during life-threatening illness: Creative activity experienced by elderly people and occupational therapists

Abstract

Objective-The aim of this study was to discover and characterize components of engagement in creative activity as occupational therapy for elderly people dealing with life-threatening illness, from the perspective of both clients and therapists. Despite a long tradition of use in clinical interventions, key questions remain little addressed concerning how and why people seek these activities and the kinds of benefits that may result.Method-Qualitative interviews were conducted with 8 clients and 7 therapists participating in creative workshops using crafts at a nursing home in Sweden. Analysis of the interviews was conducted using a constant comparative method.Findings-Engaging in creative activity served as a medium that enabled creation of connections to wider culture and daily life that counters consequences of terminal illness, such as isolation. Creating connections to life was depicted as the core category, carried out in reference to three subcategories: (1) a generous receptive environment identified as the foundation for engaging in creative activity; (2) unfolding creations-an evolving process; (3) reaching beyond for possible meaning horizons. Conclusion-The findings suggest that the domain of creative activity can enable the creation of connections to daily life and enlarge the experience of self as an active person, in the face of uncertain life-threatening illness. Ultimately, the features that participants specify can be used to refine and substantiate the use of creative activities in intervention and general healthcare.

‘Colour and communion’: Exploring the influences of visual art-making as a leisure activity on older women's subjective well-being

“…Regardless of age and any physical decline, they were able to define themselves in positive terms as 'craftspeople, people who made things" (p.452). Resonating with these findings, a qualitative study of older people facing terminal illness found that they experienced craft workshops as a means of retaining the experience of self as an active person, and maintaining connections to normal daily life (La Cour et al, 2005).…”

Aesthetic Engagements

“…11,12 Many of the persons told us that the cancer had brought them closer to being and to doing life in ways they felt were more in touch with core values in their lives and priorities than before illness. Simultaneously, they made it clear that pain, sorrow, and grief were persistently present.…”

Crafting, health and wellbeing: findings from the survey of public participation in the arts and considerations for art therapists

“…The majority of knitters reported engaging in the activity for relaxation, stress relief and creativity. According to Cour, Josephsson, and Luborsky (2005), creative activities help people cope with illness or difficult situations to forge a meaningful connection with life. Several other authors have reported on the positive impact of creative activity, especially crafting, to heighten their abilities to live with a mental illness or other chronic illness (Cour, Josephsson, Tishelman, & Nygard, 2007;Dickie, 2011;Reynolds & Prior, 2006).…”