Room Decorations in a Clinical Setting

It is quite common for those who suffer from mental or neuropsychological disorders to have to join a mental institution for some time, or for a long- term period. In these instances it is important for the person to feel as comfodable as possible in that place. In order to achieve that, the person could personalize his/ her own space, and make the room they live in their own room. Thus, decorating the room can be beneficial since it improves the time spent in the institute and it also offers an opportunity for the person to use and show the things he/ she has made in therapy (if any).

In the current case, an elderly lady with dementia has decorated her room with things she created, something which not only improves her personal space, but also presents an opportunity to recall and to increase the self- esteem. 

The things made are simple decorations: a bowl that was coloured and had little flowers glued on them, ribbons made as bows, a small crafted frame with a painted flower inside. 

                                                              

• The bowl:
• Materials: a glass bowl, fingerpaint, a brush, craft- flowers, glue
• Procedure: it was simply coloured with a medium brush in two colors that were mixed. Then flowers (for crafts) were- also simply- glued with wet glue on one side.

                                     

   

• The ribbons: 
• Materials: nothing more than three different ribbons
• Procedure: a lace ribbon and a patterned one were made into bows and both were then tied on a thick thread.

                                                    

• The frame: 
• Materials: wooden craft- sticks, paper, plastic decoration, glue
• Procedure: four wooden craft- sticks were glued together to form a square. A paper of the same size was then glued behind them, and the plastic leaf was placed (with wet glue, since it is a more rough material). Finally, a little flower was painted in the middle.   

The room looks prettier, and the lady happier every time her creations are mentioned! 

Literature: J. Creek, L. Lougher, 2008. Occupational Therapy and Mental Health, Athens, ΒΗΤΑ medical arts; Ν. Tsergas, 2014. Therapeutic Approaches Through Art, Αthens, Τopos; I. Yalom, 
2009. Inpatient Group Psychotherapy, Athens, Agra.
Note: The current activity was conducted in an individual level in the sphere of creative work and cognitive reinforcement in a specific elderly care unit in Athens.