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Art is a great spectator activity!  Attending theater, movies, art exhibits, poetry readings, storytelling events, or concerts are a great way to bring the benefits of art into aging

 

Research on Benefits

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 Older adulthood is an excellent time to learn new skills based in the arts

 

 

 

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In a historic 2006 study, Dr. Gene Cohen followed 300 older adults for two years as they either actively participated in creative arts programs or were members of a control group. Striking differences occurred between the two groups. 

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Health Challenges

Participation in the arts have been shown to be an innovative and effective way to help those living with health challenges. Along with programs that promote creative expression, the Creative Arts Therapies (Art, Music, Dance/Movement, Drama Therapies) provide trained therapists who are experts in using the arts in meeting the clinical needs of those living with
challenging health conditions.

As people age, health issues tend to increase. Approximately 85% of older adults have at least one chronic health condition and 72% have at least two chronic health conditions (NIH, 2019). Chronic illness and mental health have a cyclical relationship: chronic illness often impacts one’s mental health, and poor mental health often contributes to chronic illness. Engaging in creativity has been shown to have a positive influence on both fronts, making it an effective approach to holistic health.

With the challenges in cognition that come with dementia, it is often found that the arts remain accessible in many ways, bringing a sense of control, creativity, success, communication and interaction.

Parkinson’s disease brings a myriad of physical challenges, as well as emotional and cognition concerns. Research is strong for the effective use of the arts in combating some of the difficulties of Parkinson’s disease such as gait, vocal strength, balance, coordination and emotional support.

When neural pathways are damaged by brain injury such as stroke, the arts can offer alternative pathways to re-learn functional behavior.  Speech, gait, range of motion, strength, coordination, right or left neglect are some of the concerns that are being addressed through the arts. In addition to these functional issues, the arts can provide the emotional support needed when dealing with challenges that come with stroke or any brain damage.

Though not a normal part of aging, depression can be a problem for some older adults. It has been shown that participation in the arts effects our neurochemical makeup, enhances self-concept, sense of mastery, communication of emotions, creative expression, cognition and social connection – all of which contribute improvements in emotional states (Dunphy, 2019).

 

Caregivers

Caregivers can benefit from the arts in two ways. First, as a means of self-care. Caregivers are in special need of the benefits of creative expression, connection and emotional support. With increased stress, anxiety, depression, isolation and health challenges of their own, participation in the arts can help caregivers to care for themselves as they care for others. Secondly, caregivers can use the arts as a way to provide meaningful activities for their care recipients, as well as providing activities for care partners to enjoy time together.

Long Term Care

When choosing long term care for your loved one, don’t forget to look for facilities that place an emphasis on the arts.  The philosophy of person-centered care continues to become the norm in elder care. Additionally, Medicare has recently placed and emphasis on using non-pharmacological interventions as the first line of defense for a myriad of problems. Cutting edge facilities will be using the arts to meet both of these standards.  With the emotional, cognitive, social and physical benefits of arts participation, long term care facilities who value and provide quality, professional arts programs will have the best chance of providing your loved one witha vibrant quality of life. Find out if the facility you are investigating provides arts for entertainment, arts for activity and the arts for therapy. Ask if their arts programing provided by community volunteers, activity directors, teaching artists or recreation /creative arts therapists.

 

Therapy

drama manThe creative arts therapies consist of art, music, dance/movement, drama, poetry and psychodrama therapies. Each of these modalities are degreed and credentialed professions, with qualified health professionals who are trained to deal with therapeutic work and use the arts intentionally to achieve clinical goals. What is the difference between an art activity that is therapeutic, and the creative arts therapies? In creative engagement, the goal is to create art, and therapeutic consequences naturally follow.  In therapy, the goal is to address specific clinical needs, and therapists use targeted and evidence based art interventions as tools to address those needs. How do you know which you need?

If  you are looking to experience creative expression, and enjoy the therapeutic benefits that naturally follow, become  involved in generalized creative activities.  If you have specific problems that require the expertise of a trained therapist, seek out a creative arts therapist who is trained in the modality that you feel best fits your needs.


Art is a Great Spectator Activity

man playing guitar

  • Cuypers (2010) found that health, satisfaction, anxiety and depression in both receptive and creative art participation is enhanced. In their findings, females received more benefits from actively creating art, while males experienced more benefits from passively viewing art.
  • Those who attend 10 or more live performances a year show a 23-31% slower cognitive decline (Rajan, 2016) than a control group.
  • The Meet Me at MOMA program provides people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and their caregivers the opportunity to view art on a monthly basis, in small groups with a trained educator. Research on this project has shown that participants experience intellectual stimulation, shared experiences, social interaction and an accepting environment.

It is Never to Late to Learn a New Skill

man with poleroidOlder adults may have more discretionary time

  • They tend to know their own mind better than the younger version of themselves
  • Learning new skills increase self esteem and a sense of empowerment
  • Learning new skills is a way to meet people.
  • Learning expands who you are – it gives a way to express and explore who are and who you are on your way to becoming
  • Cognitive reserve:   “Making art or even viewing art causes the brain to continue to reshape, adapt, and restructure, thus expanding the potential to increase brain reserve capacity.” (Bagan “Aging: What’s art got to do with it?”) This cognitive reserve appears to help the mind continue to function even when physical signs of dementia are present.
  • Physical benefits come from increased coordination and strengthening of muscles, maintaining or improving breath strength, and other physical benefits that are addressed in learning a new skill.

Partners in Therapy

adta American Dance Therapy Association

american art therapy association        American Art Therapy Association
asgpp                               ASGPP
music therapy      American Music Therapy Association
utaharttherapy             Utah Art Therapy Association
music therapy     Utah Association of Music Therapists
napt   National Association for Poetry Therapy
drama       American Drama Therapy Association

nccata                               NCCATA

Last Updated: 10/14/21