Grief is woven into the aging journey, yet in senior living it’s often the quiet undercurrent few talk about openly. Beyond the loss of a loved one, residents may be grieving a move, a change in mobility, a shift in identity or the gradual loss of independence. When those transitions go unacknowledged, they can surface in unexpected ways, from withdrawal and isolation to frustration or agitation. On Varsity’s weekly Roundtable, we explored how creative expression can offer a powerful, compassionate response to that reality.
Alison Schroeder, Creative Arts Coordinator at Goodwin Living, joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable for an insightful conversation on how art-based programming creates space for emotion, connection and resilience. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.
GRIEF ISN’T JUST ABOUT DEATH, IT’S BUILT INTO THE AGING JOURNEY
From losing a spouse to losing a driver’s license, identity or mobility, grief shows up everywhere in senior living. Communities that acknowledge those quieter losses — not just bereavement — create space for deeper healing.
ART IS THE ANTIDOTE TO LOSS
Grief is about losing. Art is about creating. That shift from absence to expression restores agency, purpose and momentum, especially when so much else feels out of control.
RITUALS EXIST FOR DEATH, NOT FOR TRANSITIONS
We have funerals for loved ones, but no ceremony for stopping driving or moving to assisted living. Creative programming can become the missing ritual that helps residents process life’s unmarked transitions.
PROCESS MATTERS MORE THAN PRODUCT
In memory care and skilled nursing especially, the goal isn’t a perfect painting, it’s engagement. Like exercise, creative practice builds emotional strength even if there’s no masterpiece at the end.
CELEBRATION IS A FORM OF THERAPY
Art shows, books, talks and festivals don’t just showcase talent, they validate identity. Publicly honoring residents’ creative work transforms private struggle into shared pride.
SUPPORT CREATES BREAKTHROUGHS
Creative transformation rarely happens alone. Whether it’s interns, therapists, fellow residents or staff, community collaboration amplifies impact and turns individual expression into collective healing.
Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.
