The Power of Creative Writing Exercises for Senior Minds

Everybody knows that the key to keeping our muscles strong, regardless of our age, is to put them to use by exercising on a regular basis. So, it makes perfect sense that we’d need to exercise our minds to keep them in top condition, too! Studies show that among the many benefits of creative writing is keeping cognitive skills sharp, including for those who have been diagnosed with, and are living with, dementia.

Top Three Benefits of Creative Writing Exercises for Seniors:

1. It stimulates the mind. Older adults who are often retired and tend to spend less time socializing than when they were younger can easily fall into the monotony of a daily routine. Creative writing breaks seniors out of that mental rut by requiring them to think more deeply about what they’re doing.
2. It’s an emotional outlet. Many senior loved ones feel isolated and alone when they aren’t socializing with family and friends frequently. So one of the benefits of creative writing exercises is that it allows them to express their feelings instead of keeping them bottled up inside. This can be especially helpful for those older adults with memory issues that cause them frustration, anxiety and fear. Not only does committing their thoughts to paper give seniors a way to address their emotional needs, but completing a writing project can provide them with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
3. It can stir the memory. Thinking creatively often causes us to deeply examine our thoughts and experiences, which can lead to the rediscovery of long-forgotten memories and refresh our recollections of things that might otherwise be forgotten.

Tips for Getting Started

Fortunately, there are a lot of different types of creative writing, so there are plenty of options from which to choose.

And you probably want to sit down with your senior loved one to find out what interests them before getting started.

• They could create work on their own autobiography — writing about their life experiences for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren to explore in the future. Asking questions about their life and helping commit their thoughts to written words are also a great way for you to connect with Mom or Dad, resulting in a rewarding endeavor for everyone involved.
• If short and sweet is better, they could create original poetry. One of the great things about writing poetry is that there are basically no rules! It can be as long or short as the writer wants to make it. It can rhyme, but it doesn’t have to. Unless the creator is committed to a rigid format, such as penning a haiku, they can make their creative work anything they want it to be.
• If they want to take an exciting adventure or solve a puzzling mystery, formulating fictional stories might be more their style. Not only does making up an entire story from start to finish really get the creative juices flowing. It’s a great way for your senior loved one to indulge themselves with a break from everyday monotony.
• Although it’s something of a lost art, penning a hand-written letter, whether they intend to send it or not, could be a comfortable way to get started. Writing a letter to an old friend or family member is a great way to uncover long-forgotten memories and make mental connections.

Regardless of the format your senior chooses, there are a couple things to remember as you embark on this new, constructive hobby.

First, be patient and supportive. Getting started is often the toughest part – and that’s true even for people who write regularly. Someone new to creative writing might initially be reluctant or possibly intimidated by the task, so give them plenty of time to get comfortable.

Second, don’t be afraid to join in! Writing doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Grab a seat at the table with your senior loved one and create with them. You may want to team up to make memories together. It’s often easier to do something new when you have a partner by your side. Make sure you keep things positive to make your new writing project something your senior loved one looks forward to each time.

Just remember that as we age, it’s not WHAT we write, it’s THAT we write to help keep our cognitive skills and memories sharp!

For more ideas to inspire creativity with seniors, visit our health and wellness blog!