CONTROL - Do you have it?
Throughout our lives we learn life lessons and grow from them. We learn that if we want to accomplish something it will take hard work and dedication to reach our goals. We learn that where there’s a will, there’s a way. What happens when the years go by and you’ve finally reached the top of the mountain? What do you see and what do you need. The road down is steep. Do we want to ask for assistance? It’s really steep…
When I think about aging and reflect on individual clients and group participants I’m always brought back to themes of control. Those who age with cognitive losses may struggle with others taking control over their every decision. Others might struggle with chronic health conditions that control when they can leave their home and when they simply can’t. Can you imagine not having the ability to make your own decisions? To see a future where your life is controlled by something else, person or disease.
As an Art Therapist one of my overarching goals when working with clients is to give control as a way to improve quality of life. Creating art can allow a person to take back autonomy, even if only for the length of our session. When living with dementia it is empowering to have the ability to make decisions about materials and color selections. For that hour art therapy gives them control to make marks and music with their strokes, and reconnect themselves to something of meaning. They have the choice and freedom to decide where their art therapy session takes them.
Thoughtful Tip/Trick - A simple way to give back a moment of control to someone struggling with aging - ask their opinion before deciding for them. If you strive to go deeper, look through magazines with the word control in your mind and see what images stand out to you and have a conversation about it! You might learn something new.