Sandy Humphrey, 83, is learning how adding splashes of color in her weekly activity schedule is helping to slow the progression of her Parkinson’s disease. Humphrey, a resident of The Buckingham, an SQLC retirement community, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about three years ago, and says coloring helps control and steady the tremors in her fingers. Humphrey and about a dozen other residents spend an hour at a time coloring in the group activity while listening to soothing classical music, which helps them relax and focus on nothing else but the moment.
“You forget what’s going on in your day-to-day life,” said Humphrey. “Coloring takes away the stress by helping you live in the moment and concentrate on the task at hand for one hour. I colored a beautiful stained-glass window picture using pastel shades of pinks, greens and blues. I thought of nothing else but the intricate design of the window, and after I finished the picture I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment.”
When coloring, different areas of the cerebral hemispheres are activated, helping lower activity in the part of the brain involved in controlling emotion caused by stress. Focusing on the activity of coloring rather than on other stressors results in a more relaxed and creative state of mind. The Buckingham offers activities like the adult coloring class as part of the Masterpiece Living® philosophy that is incorporated throughout the community – a philosophy that encourages continual learning at every age and promotes a healthy lifestyle in all regards. The Buckingham staff offers multiple programs and outlets for residents to stay engaged and live life to the fullest as they enter the retirement phase of life. Humphrey is an amazing example of the Masterpiece Living® philosophy, as she encourages her friends and neighbors at The Buckingham to try new activities, like adult coloring. Humphrey also participates in bridge and mahjong, and serves as chairman on the community’s lifestyle committee, a group that helps initiate new, trendy activities, such as adult coloring.
“Coloring is fun and it’s an activity a lot of people can participate in and enjoy,” said Humphrey. “I loved hearing my friends and neighbors comment on how relaxed and accomplished they felt after finishing a page from the coloring book.”
“It is a wonderful thing to see the residents creating works of art that are stimulating to the senses and beneficial to their health,” said Pam Ortiz, director of resident services and lifestyles at The Buckingham. “Art provides joy and peace that comes from creating something uniquely your own. By providing purpose-filled activities, we are giving the residents opportunities to use their imaginations to create something special, while feeling a sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction.”