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At Aruga Home Care, we believe that aging should include connection, creativity, and joy.
Our creative engagement services for seniors in Calgary are designed to nurture self-expression, spark memory, and build meaningful relationships—right at home. Through music, art, storytelling, and movement, we help your loved one stay emotionally, socially, and mentally engaged.
Our services include leading-edge, evidence-informed approaches like Opening Minds through Art (OMA), TimeSlips, and the Music & Memory program. These tools support seniors –especially those living with dementia – by reducing isolation, boosting mood, and encouraging cognitive stimulation. Activities are tailored to each individual’s abilities and interests.
Research shows that creative engagement can meaningfully improve quality of life for seniors, particularly those living with dementia. Arts-based activities have been shown to reduce agitation, anxiety, and the need for behavioural medications. Participating in storytelling, painting, or music can activate memory, reduce stress, and enhance emotional wellbeing.
Studies also highlight the positive effects on family caregivers. In Ali Cada’s graduate research, caregivers who participated in creative activities with their loved ones experienced a deeper sense of joy, resilience, and shared purpose. These findings reinforce our belief that creative care supports the whole family.Creative engagement is not a separate service – it’s woven into our care model. Our caregivers don’t just assist; they engage. They listen, participate, and adapt activities in real time to create genuine moments of joy. This approach helps seniors living with dementia or cognitive change feel seen, valued, and connected to their world.
Creative engagement is not a separate service – it’s woven into our care model. Our caregivers don’t just assist; they engage. They listen, participate, and adapt activities in real time to create genuine moments of joy. This approach helps seniors living with dementia or cognitive change feel seen, valued, and connected to their world.
Dementia may affect memory, but it does not erase creativity. Engaging in activities like painting, crafting, and storytelling allows seniors to express who they are. Small, achievable projects help foster confidence, independence, and a sense of control – reaffirming identity and purpose.
Families often ask, “How do I connect with my loved one beyond caregiving tasks?” Creative engagement creates opportunities for laughter, shared stories, and emotional closeness. Whether through music, art, or memory prompts, these moments strengthen the bond between seniors and those who care for them.
Not exactly. While our work is informed by therapeutic practices, we do not provide clinical art therapy. Instead, we focus on creative engagement – using music, storytelling, and art as tools for expression, connection, and wellbeing. It’s inclusive, accessible, and tailored to the person – not their diagnosis.
Aruga’s creative engagement model is grounded in research. The following short papers by Ali Cada, our Care & Creative Director, explore the proven benefits of the arts in dementia care – for both clients and caregivers:
Let’s talk about creative care.
Book a free consultation with our Calgary team and discover how personalized engagement can enhance quality of life at every stage of aging.
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