CHARITY campaigners have called for artistic and cultural activities to be made available in every care home in Wales. 

Age Cymru says that people’s creative and cultural lives should be a key conversation when moving into residential care and has called on care commissioners, regulators and homes themselves to ensure that residents can take part.   

Age Cymru’s Heather Ferguson said: “It has long been established that participating in arts and creative activities can help improve communication, self-esteem, enjoyment of life, memory, and creative thinking.  

“Research shows the positive effects that engaging in creative arts can have on care home residents, improving both their physical and mental health.

“There are also positive effects on the wellbeing of staff which can improve their relationships with residents and improve the overall quality of care within a home.” 

 A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The science is clear that artistic and cultural activities have numerous positive effects on care home residents and staff.

They can help improve confidence and communication skills and help with developing relationships between individual residents and care staff.

“That’s why we’re proud to support Age Cymru’s call to implement more of these types of activities and have worked with them to deliver projects that sees more cultural and artistic activities undertaken in care homes across Wales.”