Creative Activity, Art Therapy and Aged Care
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 Changes Mean
Recent aged care reforms have formally recognised art therapy as a home
support service, alongside a stronger focus on choice and meaningful activity.
Here is what changed and why it matters for your family.
Art therapy is recognised under CHSP
From 1 July 2025, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) lists art therapy under Therapeutic Services for Independent Living. It can also be provided through Support at Home.
Under program requirements, art therapy must use evidence-based techniques to help manage conditions associated with age-related disability or decline. It must be delivered by a health professional or, where safe and appropriate, by an allied health assistant or aged care worker under that professional's supervision.
Access depends on an individual aged care assessment and delivery through an appropriate provider. This recognition applies to professional art therapy services, and the service type excludes general supplies.
Guided painting kits are not automatically eligible for funding.
A greater focus on individual choice and meaningful activity
The new Act, which now covers CHSP and Support at Home, places greater emphasis on the rights, preferences and individual needs of older people.
Meaningful creative activities can support a person-centred approach by respecting individual choice and creating opportunities for participation, enjoyment and connection.
How Artful Connections Fits In
Artful Connections Guided Painting Kits are created by professional artist and qualified art therapist Deb Shapiro, drawing on her experience running painting sessions with older adults in aged care.
The kits provide a gentle and approachable creative experience with:
- Three guided painting projects
- Acrylic paints and brushes
- Step-by-step video guidance
- Conversation cards
- A reusable studio mess mat
They can be enjoyed independently or with a family member, friend, support worker, carer or lifestyle coordinator.
Artful Connections kits are guided creative activities. They are not art therapy and are not a substitute for professional therapeutic support.
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 encourage engagement, self-expression and the sharing of memories. When words are harder to find, painting can offer another way to communicate and connect without relying on conversation alone.
Parkinson's Disease
Painting offers an enjoyable creative activity that each person can approach at their own pace. Creating alongside someone else provides a shared focus, allowing conversation and connection to happen naturally.
Arthritis
Guided painting involves gentle hand and finger movement while allowing each person to work at their own pace. Optional soft foam grips can make brushes easier and more comfortable to hold for people with reduced grip strength or hand mobility.
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.
Created by Deb
Created by Deb Shapiro, an artist and qualified art therapist whose experience working with older adults informs the projects, materials and step-by-step guidance.
Built for connection
Designed for an older adult to enjoy with a family member, carer or support person, creating natural opportunities for conversation, connection and meaningful time together.
Ready to use at home
Guided templates, art materials and Deb’s step-by-step video guidance provide a clear place to begin, with no art experience required.
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.