Benefits of Scrapbooking for Older Adults

Scrapbooking is an easy activity that can improve memory and create a family heirloom. It’s a fun way to collect special memories in one place and stimulate different parts of our brains related to remembering and decision-making. Here’s how:

5 ways scrapbooking is good for brain health

1. Scrapbooking engages our brains.

One of the best ways to keep the brain sharp as we age is to keep it engaged.[i] Scrapbooking requires us to make decisions (what to include, where to put it on the page) and organize, which lights up the frontal lobe. Even the movements required to cut and place items work out our brains. And when we recall favorite people, places, and experiences and when they occurred, we activate the hippocampus.

2. Scrapbooking encourages social engagement.

Building a memory book is a terrific multi-generational activity. Get family and friends together to reminisce. They’ll have additional perspectives on shared events and mutual contacts. This can be especially meaningful for younger people, enabling them to build stronger connections to you and your family’s history. Social engagement isn’t just fun – it’s an important aspect of aging well. Staying socially active stimulates our brains and reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness that can lead to anxiety and depression.

3. Scrapbooking creates a memory lane.

Making a scrapbook creates a path we can follow from past to present. For example, scrapbook pages illustrating the family tree can include photos and names of each member in every branch. The visual helps us remember names and connections. This can be especially helpful for people with mild dementia and other cognitive conditions.

4. Scrapbooking promotes creativity.

Being creative helps keep our brains agile and active, and you don’t have to be an artist to reap the benefits. Scrapbooking is a creative activity even the least artistic among us can succeed at! According to The National Endowment of the Arts, creativity stretches our working memory and challenges us to think differently and make decisions.[ii] And for people living with cognitive issues like mild Alzheimer’s or dementia, creative projects like scrapbooking can help improve their quality of life.

5. Scrapbooking influences mood.

Recollections of the near and distant past evoke emotions that impact our mood.[iii] For many people, reminiscing sparks positive feelings of a life well-lived and strong connections with family and friends. It can also bring on feelings of longing or sadness. These emotions are all part of life, of course, but we should consider our current emotional health when choosing activities. If you’re feeling down or anxious, contact your healthcare provider to get the help you deserve.

Cognitive and social benefits aside, scrapbooking creates a beautiful family heirloom to pass down for future generations to enjoy and for those who want to learn more about their family history. Scrapbooks create a lasting memento of important people, places and events in your life.

[i] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Brain Basics: Know Your Brain. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-know-your-brain

[ii] National Endowment of the Arts. How Creativity Works in the Brain. https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/how-creativity-works-in-the-brain-report.pdf

[iii] Khan, Arshia, Alex Bleth, Marat Bakpayev, and Nabiha Imtiaz. 2022. “Reminiscence Therapy in the Treatment of Depression in the Elderly: Current Perspectives” Journal of Ageing and Longevity 2, no. 1: 34-48. https://doi.org/10.3390/jal2010004