Before moving into a retirement home , Jim Dolph spent years drawing rocks, inspired by his long-standing interest in geology. But painting never crossed his mind.
Weeks before his move into the Garrison Green Retirement Community, a residence for older adults in Calgary’s Southwest managed by United Active Living, Dolph packed his sketches and prepared for a new chapter with his wife in January 2014.
At 79, he had no idea the pencils he relied on would soon be replaced with paintbrushes, or that his work would shift from stones on paper to animals displayed on the walls of his new home.
During his last year in his own home that Dolph shared his days with his wife, he spent quiet moments spent gardening or sketching rocks. However, soon after moving to Garrison Green his wife passed away leaving him unsure how to structure his days.
Dolph then met Maddison Klein, a former creative facilitator, who introduced him to the arts workshops offered in the building. Klein helped Dolph feel more comfortable to try something new.
Although it took some time, the studio has now become a regular place where he spends much of his time painting happy animals and visiting with fellow residents. In turn, Dolph has become a guiding hand to new residents much like Klein was to him.
Like many older adults, Dolph faced a shift in routine that can often lead to social isolation. Addressing that issue, Garrisson Green offers a range of activities including arts and fitness, to help their residents to be a part of the community.
Dixie Baum, one of the creative facilitators, aims to create a welcoming space to build connections amongst residents.
“When you’re in the later years, it’s so easy to get isolated and not to have those meaningful social interactions, and this is a space where we really want to make that easy and that part of everyday life,” said Baum.
Creative arts may not be for everyone, but here residents have the opportunity to try them in a free and accessible space. Residents often find their way to the arts studio, sometimes reluctantly, but tend to leave sessions feeling more at ease and more accomplished.
“I think that it’s pretty important to break down those mental barriers. But also to break down those isolation barriers too. Where somebody who might be a little shyer and may gravitate towards staying in their suite, that they would want to come down,” said Baum.
Outside well-funded private residences with in-house programming, organizations such as the Creative Aging Calgary Society (CACS) work to provide access to creative activities for older adults. CACS sends artists and performers to care facilities to perform and entertain residents, taking care of the costs through grants and donations.
Luke Rathje, a senior student at the University of Calgary, has been working with CACS for a year and is in charge of handling and facilitating all their online programs.
“I’ve really enjoyed it, and it feels good to give these opportunities to the community, especially when there’s not many opportunities otherwise for them,” said Rathje.
Back at UAL, Dolph and other residents will soon start working together on a collaborative spring artwork that will be hung in the lobby for the season. Those projects tend to spark all sorts of social relationships.
“And that’s a pretty exciting thing, particularly for seniors,” said Baum.
