Art Therapy Is Now Part of Australia's Aged Care Plan
From 1 November 2025, art therapy is formally listed under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme as a funded therapeutic service for older Australians living at home. Artful Connections was built for exactly this moment.
What the Aged Care Reforms Mean
The Aged Care Act 2024 shifted arts and crafts from a recreational activity to a recognised therapeutic intervention. Here is what changed and why it matters for your family.
Art therapy is recognised under CHSP therapeutic services
From July 2025, the Commonwealth Home Support Program formally included art therapy as a new service under Therapeutic Services for Independent Living, supporting older Australians to manage their wellbeing and remain safe and independent at home.
Greater focus on meaningful activity and connection
Aged care providers are expected to support older people to engage in meaningful activities that reflect their interests, needs and preferences. The focus is on quality of life, social connection, participation and maintaining relationships.
More personalised support at home
From November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages with eight ongoing funding classifications, with support tailored to each older person’s assessed needs, preferences and goals for living independently at home.
Why Creative Activity Matters
Research confirms that arts and crafts deliver real, measurable therapeutic benefits across a range of conditions common in older adults. These are not optional extras. They are evidence-based interventions.
Dementia
Creative activity can engage memory and self-expression. When words become harder to find, painting offers another way to communicate, connect and express feelings without relying on conversation alone.
Parkinson's Disease
Creative activity can provide a gentle way to express feelings and revisit meaningful memories during times of change. Painting together creates a shared focus, allowing conversation and connection to happen naturally.
Arthritis
Guided painting encourages gentle hand and finger movement while allowing each person to work at their own pace. Easy-to-use brushes and optional comfort grips can make painting more comfortable for people who find gripping smaller brushes difficult.
How Artful Connections Fits In
Our kits are designed by qualified art therapist Deb Shapiro to bring the benefits of guided creative therapy into any home. No training, no setup, no specialist required.
Art Therapist designed
Every kit is created by Deb Shapiro, a qualified art therapist whose hands-on experience with older adults in aged care shapes every Artful Connections experience.
Built for connection Designed for an older adult and their family member or carer to enjoy together. Connection is the outcome, not a side effect.
Designed for an older adult and their family member or carer to enjoy together. Connection is the outcome, not a side effect.
Ready to use at home
No facilitation training needed. Video supported guidance makes it easy for carers and family members to support the experience with confidence.
Further reading Art activities for aged care — practical programs for lifestyle and activity coordinators →
Ready to create something together?
Each $79 Gift Box provides 6+ hours of guided creative engagement. Art therapist-designed, video-supported, and ready to use without any facilitation training.
Policy information sourced from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and The Senior, November 2025. Artful Connections is not a registered CHSP or NDIS provider.