Home-based art therapy for older adults.

Art therapists are 'dedicated to the belief that the creative process in the making of art is healing and enhancing' (Mission Statement, AATA, 2/2000). They work in a variety of settings. One setting that has been generally undeveloped is the home; domiciliary art therapists are rare. This article addresses art therapy for home-bound people, giving special attention to the set of needs for this environment, the desired personality traits of the in-home therapist, the unique structure of the therapeutic relationship and appropriate art therapy goals. In-home art therapy is based on the idea of enhancing life and is not aligned with cure-oriented therapy. Two case studies of home-bound art therapy are presented; one is with a person who is restricted as a result of multiple sclerosis, the other with a patient who has Alzheimer's disease. Both case studies demonstrate the complexities and possibilities for art therapy services for the adult homebound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]