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Aging and moving into a retirement home brings many changes that can threaten an individual s self- respect, if he is not adequately prepared and does not understand them as a natural characteristic of personality development that they are. A part of the art of personality development and maturation lies within an individual s harmonization of his self- esteem and the characteristics of each stage of his life. Creativity, experience and acceptance of life facts of every individual in the process of implementation of fine arts offers a client the possibility to influence his/her own meaning of life and to realize as well as improve his/her self- image. The present book aims at proving positive effects on self-image of clients in a retirement home and at confirming the very essence of human existence:a need of everybody-regardless of age, education or capabilities, talents-to ascertain her/himself as a unique creative being communicating with other society members.Contribution of the book is based on knowledge that professional work in an institution for the elderly requires modern programmes which include methods of support by means of arts-art therapy.

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Alenka Ficko studied Occupational Therapy at the University College of Health Care in Ljubljana and specialised in Arts Therapy at the Faculty of Education in Ljubljana. She worked in the Retirement Home in Ljutomer and in Danica Vogrinec Retirement Home in Maribor. She works in Debeli Rti Health and Holiday Centre in the Slovene Istria.

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