Retirement brings with it an increase in one of life’s most precious commodities—spare time. If you enjoy art, and wonder whether you might have artistic ability, taking an art class can be a great way to spend your time. It can also be good for your health.

Researchers at the American Academy of Neurology reported last year that people who engaged in artistic activities such as painting, drawing and sculpting were 73 percent less likely to develop memory and thinking problems that lead to dementia.

The study also concluded that the social aspect of taking a class can also increase brain health. Socializing with others made participants 55 percent less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment.

The Cleveland Heights Senior Activity Center (SAC) offers several types of art classes that can help students explore their creative talents. Artist Susan Morse teaches ongoing classes in basic drawing, drawing and painting, and watercolor pencil. Artist Alice Seiffulah teaches an ongoing portrait painting class.

Morse notes that many of her students had an interest in art in their earlier years, but set it aside to pursue a career or raise a family. “Our students are able to focus and move forward on developing skills more quickly [than younger students],” she said, “because they don’t have the time demands of a job or family.”

If you enjoy the art of crafting, crafters Susan Roberts and Leonie Lee lead a free semi-monthly arts and crafts class at SAC. Projects cover a variety of craft types, and are designed to be both beautiful and quick—they are completed in just two hours.

Roberts has noticed that many students are pleasantly surprised by their abilities. “A lot of people don’t realize they have artistic talent,” she said, “but anyone can do it in some form or another. It doesn’t have to look just one certain way.”

SAC also holds a free weekly open art group for artists who don’t need instruction, but who would like to work on their projects in the company of others. Amy Jenkins, SAC supervisor, said, “Artists just bring whatever they’re working on. It’s a wonderful creative and social opportunity.”

SAC art students regularly hold art shows at CH-UH libraries. Some have also participated in juried shows, and some even sell their artwork. Many of their pieces are also on display throughout the year at SAC, and community residents are welcome to tour the center and view the art.

Roberts has reassuring advice for those who may be afraid they don’t have the talent or ability to create art: “Don’t go on past perceptions of yourself or past discouragements. You don’t know until you try.”

SAC classes are open to Cleveland Heights residents age 60 and older. Call 216-691-7377 for more information and to register for classes.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.

Many seniors have untapped energy, ideas and interests during retirement. Starting a business or volunteering for a worthy cause are two stimulating and gratifying ways to keep the body, mind and spirit active in retirement.

The Encore Entrepreneurs Series, a partnership between The Cleveland Foundation and the Cuyahoga County Public Library, provides programs to help seniors start and grow a business. These include free workshops, coaching sessions, and events focused on business development and networking.

Visit www.ccplencore.org or call 216-398-1800 to learn more.

Business Advisers of Cleveland (BAC), a nonprofit organization that provides free counseling, consulting, mentoring and educational programs for small businesses and nonprofit organizations, is offering consultations at an upcoming Encore Entrepreneurs Series program in South Euclid.

Call 216-426-2053 for more information.

Encore Cleveland, a partnership between The Cleveland Foundation and Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU), helps retired seniors volunteer through several programs, including helping an organization grow, skill-based volunteering and direct service opportunities.

Visit www.bvuvolunteers.org/volunteer/encore-cleveland or call 216-736-7711 for more information.

Cleveland Heights artist Nikki Evans, inspired by the Encore program, recently started a decorative window screen painting business.

Evans, age 72, loves to paint. “But I ran out of room to hang paintings in my house,” she laughed. She took a screen painting class in the 1980s and decided to make a business out of it.

Evans paints original designs on the outside face of old mesh window screens. “It provides lovely artwork for your home, and it doesn’t affect your ability to see out,” she said.

Contact Evans at 216-544-0212.

John Jarvey, a resident of Cleveland Heights and a retired Cleveland Public Schools English and reading teacher, is continuing to pursue his passion for teaching, reading and learning by volunteering with the Heights Libraries.

In addition, Jarvey continues to volunteer for the Cleveland school system, tutoring children and giving books to teachers.

“It’s not work,” he said. “It’s exhilarating to help people.”

Jarvey manages the sorting and organizing of donated books for library book sales, and organizes the stocking of books for the Little Free Libraries. He also helps deliver books to prisons, the VA hospital and Severance Health Center.

Call 216-932-3600 for information about volunteering at Heights Libraries.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.

Harriet Tramer is no stranger to the stress that can come with caring for an aging family member. The Cleveland Heights resident has written a book about the experiences she went through while caring for her aging mother.

Tramer wrote Growing Up as She Grows Old to offer advice and helpful resources to others who are caring for aging family members. She hopes that reading about her experiences and the lessons she learned will help make the process easier for readers.

Citing statistics from The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA), Tramer said she was prompted to write the book “because this issue is so pervasive.” The FCA stated last year that approximately 34.2 million Americans had provided unpaid care to at least one adult age 50 or older in the preceding 12 months, and 82 percent of them provided care for two adults.

“A lot of families are dealing with this issue at a huge cost,” Tramer said. According to the FCA, the economic value of services provided by informal caregivers in 2013 was estimated at $470 billion.

The stress and adverse health issues that caregiving can cause are well-documented. The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) cites studies that report 23 percent of those caring for loved ones for five years or more report their own health as fair or poor; 72 percent of caregivers do not go to the doctor as often as they should; 63 percent have poor eating habits; and 58 percent have declined or eliminated their exercise habits.

Tramer offered advice to help reduce caregiver stress. First, ask for help. “Don’t try to do this alone,” Tramer said. She recommended seeking care help through adult day care centers, respite care and home health aides. Her book contains precautions and checklists to follow when researching these options.

Tramer also suggested learning non-verbal ways of communicating with a loved one. People suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or stroke are not able to communicate as they once did. Art therapy and sound healing are methods for expression that do not use language. “These are ways they can still communicate,” she said.

Finally, Tramer encouraged readers to reduce stress by maintaining their own physical and mental health. Her book suggests joining support groups, maintaining an exercise program and practicing mindfulness. “And be sure to get enough sleep,” Tramer emphasized.

Local resources for caregiver assistance that Tramer endorses include the art therapy program at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike (440-449-4200), Peter B. Lewis Aquatic and Therapy Center exercise programs in Beachwood (216-595-7345), University Hospitals Medical House Calls program (216-844-5482), the Case Western Reserve University Mandel School of Geriatric Social Work (216-368-1655) and social workers at the Cleveland Heights Office on Aging (216-691-7342).

Growing Up as She Grows Old can be purchased through www.bibliopublishing.com and www.amazon.com. Tramer also hosts a radio show called “Aging Without Wrinkles” on the Artist First Radio Network (www.artistfirst.com). She writes a blog on aging issues at www.htramer.com and can be contacted at 216-321-8250.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.