top of page

Artful Programming for
Older Adults & Seniors

Intro

We offer creative activities for older adults and seniors. If your residence or community space would like to run arts programming regularly or on occasion, we'd love to work with you! Read more below for details of our offerings.

If you have any questions, please reach out to hello@extrahands.ca.

Overview

We facilitate a variety of gentle, accessible art activities such as painting, drawing, collage, seasonal crafts, and sensory experiences. Sessions are designed to encourage creativity, conversation, and self-expression, with no prior art experience needed.

What Sessions Look Like

Sessions are delivered on-site in retirement homes, long-term care settings, or community spaces. They are relaxed, and adaptable to the group’s needs, with opportunities for social engagement. 

We believe in expression over production, which means we prioritize a person having a good time over creating something specific. 

Safety & Accessibility

All activities are designed with accessibility, comfort, and dignity in mind. Sessions are adapted to meet a range of cognitive, physical, and sensory needs, with flexible pacing and supportive facilitation that meets participants where they are.

Benefits to Participants

  • Supports cognitive engagement, emotional expression, and social connection

  • Structured small-group activities can reduce isolation and agitation

  • Familiar, supportive programming increases participation and comfort

Benefits to Staff

  • Reduces staff workload

  • Ensures consistent programming

  • Supports resident engagement without pulling staff from other duties

Why Choose Us?

  • Solid experience running creative programs for elders

  • Responsive to individual needs, abilities, and preferences

  • We genuinely care about meaningful engagement

  • We enjoy art and can create many interesting activities to engage participants

  • Lifelong experience with variety of artistic mediums

Offerings & Pricing

Each offering includes the following:

  • Provision of materials 

  • Full setup and cleanup

  • Facilitation of the full session

  • Participant accompaniment to and from program (optional)

  • Documentation of the session (optional)

​​

Group size:

  • Typically 4-12 participants

  • Flexible to reflect the needs and abilities of participants

1-hour Session - Group
$140

Includes:

  • 2 billable hours

    • 1 hour for the program

    • 30 minutes before and after for set/clean up and accompaniment​

Great for:

  • Tight attention spans or limited scheduling time

  • Simple activities 

2-hour Session - Group
$220

Includes:

  • 3 billable hours

    • 2 hours for the program

    • 30 minutes before and after for set/clean up and accompaniment​

Great for:

  • Longer projects or multiple explorations

  • Participants who want to challenge themselves

  • Participants who like to take it slow

2-hour Session - Individuals
$200

Includes:

  • 3 billable hours

    • 2 hours for activities with participants

      • 2-4 participants (at least 30 minutes each)

    • 1 hour for set/clean up between participants and trust-building

Great for:

  • Increasing accessibility and participation to isolated individuals

  • Individualized activities 

3-hour Session - Group + Individuals
$290

Includes:

  • 4 billable hours

    • 1 hour for the group program

    • 30 minutes before for set/clean up and accompaniment​

    • ​2.5 hours for 1-1 activities, with set/clean up between participants

      • 2-5 participants for 1-1

Great for:

  • Increasing accessibility and participation to isolated individuals

  • Shorter activities

  • Reaching many people

Free Consultation

If you have any questions, please reach out to hello@extrahands.ca to start the conversation. 

Logistics

  • Pricing includes the cost of materials

  • No tax or additional fees

  • Regular scheduling available

  • Month-to-month agreement available

FAQs

Where do sessions take place?

Sessions are brought directly into retirement homes, long-term care homes, or community centres.

Do participants need art experience?

No. Activities are designed to be accessible for all experience levels, including beginners.

Can activities be adapted for different abilities?

Yes. Materials and activities can be adjusted to support a wide range of cognitive and physical abilities.

Is this more structured or social?

It is a balance of both. Light structure through guided activities, with space for conversation, connection, and personal expression.

What materials are used?

All materials are provided and selected to be safe, accessible, and easy to use for participants with varying needs.

bottom of page