Creativity at any age brings new life to elders

BY CAROL ABAYA

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

THE SANDWICH GENERATION

Question: "My father recently died, and my mother, 77, seems lost and doesn’t know what to do with all her time. I remember her drawing pictures of funny animals for my sister and I when we were kids. Can I help her revive this talent?"

Answer: Most definitely. Creativity doesn’t go away!

You can identify drawing courses at local senior centers, adult education programs, or local community colleges. Encourage her to enroll so she can refresh her technique. Ask her to draw some pictures for your house, grandchildren, or other young relatives or friends. Get them framed and present them as gifts.

If she's really good, she might develop a hobby into making money. Neighbors might have grandchildren who might like framed pictures of funny animals. And she might also draw animals on the walls of kids bedrooms or play room.

My niece painted the walls of the play room with all kinds of animal characters easily recognizable by her two sons. It was awesome. I go to craft fairs. I find it amazing how creative people can take bits and pieces and make such pretty objects.

Question: "My mother, 75, wants to put all the family pictures (from four generations) in an album, and write notes about various members of the family. She’s the only one left in that generation. I think she’ll get depressed thinking about everyone who has died and that she’ll probably be next. I’m trying to discourage her."

Answer: Lately, I seem to use the words “encourage him/her” often, as more older people want to do something new or different. All too often children seem to think parents are “too old.” Nonsense.

Such an album is a marvelous gift for future generations, a history of the family. When she goes, will you know who all the people in these old pictures are? All that family history is lost. Looking at old pictures brings back many memories of life’s experiences and events. Sharing these memories with young family members keeps family history alive. It also helps young people realize that life 50 years ago was very different from life today. While your mother knows some of these people are no longer here, reminiscing helps bring up happy memories. This can be a self-esteem validator for your mother. She’ll clearly see what her family and she and your father have contributed to society.

I tried to get my mother to do that with family pictures that ware 90 to 100 years old. She never did, and now no one knows who these people are.

What a tragic loss.

There is an interesting book “The Creative Age: Awakening Human Potential in the Second Half of Life” that talks about creativity at different stages of life. The book also talks about the achievements of so many well known people as they aged.

The Sandwich Generation is reader interactive. Questions are welcome. Contact Carol Abaya via her website www.sandwichgeneration.com or via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .