Creative Ageing
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) found 3.35 million people are aged 60 years and over including 51%, or 1.7 million people, who reported they have a disability.
Arts Access Australia has developed a proposal, for the Department of Health and Ageing, to establish a National Centre for Creative Ageing based on the USA model of the same name.
A National Centre for Creative Ageing would promote, support and demonstrate creative ageing programs to:
* older people living in Australia’s 3,000 residential care settings
* older people living independently in the community
* ageing people with disabilities
There is existing evidence involving older Australians in creative activities will have an impact on improving social, mental and physical health by maintaining good health, reducing the onset of disease, reducing the risk factors that drive the need for long-term care and providing much needed opportunities for rehabilitation. This includes specific age related National Health Priorities like dementia.
Further Reading
Lost Generation: DADAA has a multiyear partnership with the West Australian Disability Services Commission to re-connect ageing people with a disability in residential settings with their communities using arts and cultural development.
UK Veterans Reunited Program: To celebrate the 60th anniversary of WWII the Veterans Reunited Program involved over 11 million people in a range of cultural programs. The evaluation report provides evidence of the Intrinsic Value and Intangible impacts of culture alongside personal and social impact
Alzheimer's Association Resource Lists
A list of practical resources, academic articles and research, including a report on the impact of music therapy in Alzheimer's Disease.
Alzheimers Australia – tips for art at home
Alzheimers Australia: Nurturing the Heart – Creativity, Art Therapy and Dementia
Creativity and Aging: Best Practices (National Endowment for the Arts)
National Endowment for the Arts publication of model creative projects having an impact on dementia, quality of life and physical health of older Americans.
The Creativity and Aging Study (National Endowment for the Arts)
Landmark creativity and aging study measuring the impact of professionally conducted community based cultural programs on general health, mental health and social activities of people over 65 years. The results demonstrate true health promotion and disease prevention effects. The study also demonstrated that community based cultural programs for older adults appear to reduce risk factors driving the need for long-term care.
The National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) is dedicated to fostering an understanding of the vital relationship between creative expression and the quality of life of older people. Creative expression is important for older people of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds, regardless of economic status, age, or level of physical, emotional, or cognitive functioning.
Dance and older people
Older participants in dance activities have a significant and positive improvement in physical health linked to decreased falls and increased bone density. Dance activities have been demonstrated to improve emotional wellbeing. One study compared dance to other forms of physical exercise and found dance was the only physical activity associated with a lower risk of dementia.
University of California San Francisco’s Center for Memory and Aging
Dr. Bruce Miller, the Centre’s Director, has become renowned for work in the field of art and dementia. The center’s research findings include instances of dementia unlocking new creative abilities and creativity being used as an effective tool to increase communication between patients and family members.
Creativity Matters: the Arts and Aging Toolkit
A resource that explains how and why older adults benefit from professionally run community arts programs. It offers detailed advice and examples on program design, implementation and evaluation.
United Kingdom
Communication and the Care of People with Dementia (England) Dementia Positive
Extensive work using creativity to communicate with people with dementia and carers. Other publications also listed on the site include The Arts and Dementia Care a Resource Guide (for the USA Center for Creative Aging).
Lifelong Learning, the Arts and Older People
Scottish Arts Council research into the arts and older people (defined as over 50) found that participation in the arts led to a growth in personal confidence, community interaction and economic opportunities. The benefits to older people with particular health issues like dementia or stroke are substantial and the arts are very often the ‘key’ to unlocking memory, arresting depression and anxiety, improving communication between individuals and having fun.
Making Creativity Intrinsic to Care (Ireland)
Participation in Music, Dance and Visual Art is linked to improved wellbeing. In particular this program trained staff working with older people in care and improved the staff members awareness of residents needs.
An Arts Council of England research report reviewing the medical literature in arts and healthcare included specific studies into music (both listening and creating) and dementia. These studies found that music activities could increase patients social functioning, decrease stress, increase willingness to participate in routine activities, stimulate long term memory and improve relationships between staff and patients.
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