ASU News

In honor of the International Day of Older Persons, the team of Adygea State University's "Adygea - Territory of Health" project launched an updated series of intellectual games for seniors, titled "The Key to Longevity." This program is supplemented by a specially developed series of art therapy exercises designed to support cognitive health.

The art therapy program includes drawing (such as mandalas and collages), sculpting, music therapy (singing and playing instruments), writing, and dance therapy. These activities help develop fine motor skills, enhance memory and attention, stimulate creative thinking, and promote emotional expression and social interaction.

Art therapy helps improve memory, attention, and associative thinking; express emotions; and reduce stress and anxiety. It also creates a basis for discussion and sharing experiences, thereby stimulating social interaction.

In the first game of the series, guests were asked to draw something they loved and then share it with the group. Participants supported each other and learned a lot along the way.

This time, the intellectual part of the game was dedicated to the sights, culture, and cuisine of Adygea. The players themselves suggested making the games themed. Announcements of future meetings will be published on the project's  Telegram channel.  

 As a reminder, the intellectual and creative games for seniors (60+), "The Key to Longevity," began in September 2024 as a grant-funded project. It is part of the university's project "Adygea – Territory of Health," under the "Priority 2030" development program. Since 2025, it has also become part of the national "Youth and Children" project. 

However, after the grant expired, the team received numerous requests to continue the games and decided to hold events outside of the grant funding.

The intellectual and creative activities are specifically designed for seniors, taking into account their age-related characteristics. The development of the program involved not only faculty from the Department of Social Work and Tourism at ASU but also student volunteers from these programs, who will form the future talent pool of social workers in the Republic of Adygea.

The project helps older adults spend their time actively and creatively, which can aid in preventing cognitive decline, improving their quality of life, and enhancing their self-esteem and social engagement.