Art Therapy Methods in Geriatrics - 2026 - Autumn

Objectives and content of the entire continuing education program
For the target group of the elderly and very elderly, artistic activities are to be presented and tried out by the participants themselves. The focus for elderly people is on a playful and experimental approach that is intended to be enjoyable. In this way, creative potential can be rediscovered or discovered anew. This type of physical activity can be relieving for those affected and can restore a sense of self-determination. Sensory stimulation through creative activities and the materials used can awaken memories that are often not triggered through language alone. Life stories take on a new form of expression. Creative work offers those affected a means of immediate expression. Moments of silence, relaxation, and group belonging can contribute to well-being in this way. Resources are identified and activated.

In terms of content, this continuing education program offers art therapists, cultural geragogues, cultural educators, and artists creative inspiration for activation and leisure activities. Topic-related and practice-tested activities from the field of visual arts are presented and carried out exemplarily with the participants.

In this continuing education program, in addition to theoretical foundations, you will learn practice-tested and applied examples using various techniques from the fields of nature art, painting, drawing, form drawing, watercolor, collage, and assemblage. Alongside natural materials, various chalks, pencils, watercolor paints, collage materials, everyday utensils, etc. are used. Creative work is done individually and in groups, and the resulting works are viewed and reflected on together. The theoretical part presents examples from practice and addresses the effects on mind, body, and soul.

Content in bullet points

• Introduction to creativity and sensory activation
• Theory on the effects of creative activity in dementia
• practical exercises
• Reflection on one’s own work
• Examples of methods for one’s own work
• Material options and selection
• Method development
• Design of support services (individual and group formats)
• dos and don’ts
• Cultivating creativity
• Case study

Art therapists, cultural geragogues, cultural educators, and artists with a successfully completed university degree, a comparable qualification, or corresponding suitability based on professional experience. Interested individuals from related professional fields may also participate.

For students of Alanus University, we would like to offer participation in continuing education programs at a 50% discount. An individual quota is available for each continuing education program for this purpose. University certificates are excluded from discounting.

Experience shows that resistance to artistic activities often arises and needs to be overcome. It is usually elderly men who are reluctant to engage in artistic activity. Sensitivity and creative ideas are needed to encourage participation in artistically oriented activities. For example, nature art helps people find their way into the process-oriented path of creative expression and build initial trust.

Lecturer
Katja von den Benken
Art Therapist (BA)
www.sozial-kunst-therapie.de

In addition to an introduction to creative artistic work, you will learn practical exercises for application. Material options and examples of methods are presented and discussed.

Katja von den Benken
Art Therapist (BA)
www.sozial-kunst-therapie.de

In Module III, in addition to practical self-experience, you will practice developing new methods yourself; the structure of individual and group formats will also be presented.

Katja von den Benken
Art Therapist (BA)
www.sozial-kunst-therapie.de

Holistic memory training (HMT) is of
great importance and extremely helpful for people of all age groups. HMT makes an important contribution to
mental fitness and the preservation of everyday skills into old age.
In doing so, holistic memory training involves all the senses and both hemispheres of the brain.
It mobilizes “forgotten” resources, strengthens one’s own competencies,
and—like art therapy—has positive effects on self-esteem.

The module includes the following topics, among others:

• Diversity and variety: the 12 training goals in HMT
• Imagination & creativity: the particular importance of this training goal
• Similarities / overlaps with art therapy
• Classification / distinction between activities for “mentally fit seniors” and for
people with dementia (PwD)
• Suggestions for developing your own exercises
• Excursus: definition of dementia, different forms of dementia, as well as important
guidelines for working with PwD (Alzheimer Society)
• Ideas for designing activation sessions for PwD
• practical exercises

Lecturer: Claudia Benita (holistic memory trainer (BVGT e.V.),
specialist therapist for cognitive performance training (BVGT e.V.)

In addition to the conceptualization of group formats, the appropriate choice of materials for this target group is presented. How creative artistic work can be cultivated in institutions and what framework conditions are needed is discussed. Depending on participants’ needs, it can be determined individually which methods are suitable for professional practice.

Katja von den Benken
Art Therapist (BA)
www.sozial-kunst-therapie.de

To obtain a university certificate, the required assessment is a method development presented as text and image documentation of approx. 2–3 pages each (4–6 pages in total). This may grow out of impulses from the continuing education program and correspond to the possibilities of the individual professional field. The focus should be on practical applicability for the target group. Guidelines for this work will be provided.

Lecturers

Katja von den Benken
Art Therapist (B.A.)
www.sozial-kunst-therapie.de

Claudia Benita
holistic memory trainer (BVGT e.V.),
specialist therapist for cognitive performance training (BVGT e.V.)
senioren-moers.de

Head of the Institute for Continuing Education in the Artistic Therapies:
Brigitta Jaroschek (research associate)

Further information, contact options, and our FAQ can be found here:

edu.Art – Institute for Continuing Education in the Artistic Therapies | Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences