Aging in itself presents a challenge for many, and a large number of people in the third stage of life often face changes and certain needs that are essential for coping with aging as smoothly as possible. In today’s society, older adults are often stigmatized and pushed to the margins of social life. This is especially true for those who spend the autumn of their lives away from home and loved ones, in residential care facilities. Feelings of loneliness and inner emptiness can arise, which in some cases may even lead to illness. It has been repeatedly proven that creative activity and interpersonal connection have a holistic and very positive impact on the individual or group, as well as on the search for life’s meaning. Therefore, in order to experience a fulfilling old age, it is necessary to find a sense of purpose that can serve as a source of strength in facing difficult circumstances such as frailty and living outside one’s home environment.
The theoretical part of this master’s thesis addresses the experience of change in older adults, potential encounters with feelings of emptiness, and the search for the source of meaning in the final stage of life. It highlights the influence of visual art activities, as a form of art-based assistance, on older individuals and their experience of the third stage of life within the environment of a residential care facility. The empirical part of the thesis is designed qualitatively and is based on a case study of a group of five volunteers in a in a residential facility for older adults . The main aim of the research is to identify and present how experiential art-based workshops affect the experience and search for an internal drive for life’s meaning in old age, and whether they influence the individual’s connection with themselves and others.
|
