The world population is aging rapidly; thus life expectancy is increasing and people are extending their years of life. Art enables man to release their feelings and emotions, increasing the affective quality of interpersonal relationships by improving communication, strengthening self-image and rediscovery of creative potentials. This study aimed to investigate how the practice of manual works can influence the self-image of the elderly. It evaluated art through semi-structured interviews, focusing on issues related to aging and self-image as a therapeutic, creative, artistic process, self-image, self-concept, self-esteem, feelings and emotions. It was evident that the crafts strengthen self-image of the elderly, through the completion of the work, as well as socialization, minimizing any impacts associated with aging, and even arising artistic skills and their improvement. It is through the benefits category and subcategories: mental ability, socialization, and medicine, that manual activities are valuable tools in recovering biological, psychological, social and immunological elderly.
Elderly; Art; Art therapy; Leisure activities; Manual works
