Creative Aging: State of the Field
In the United States
Susan Perlstein
Founder Emeritus,
National Center for Creative Aging
Envision a world
where all
individuals
flourish across
their lifespan
through creative
expression…
www.CreativeAging.org
Photos from the Beautiful Minds Campaign courtesy of DSM Nutritional Products
a national arts service

Capacity Building
organization designated by

Policy and Public Awareness
the NEA that serves the

Research and Development
spectrum of aging through—
BIG PICTURE
•
•
•
•
People are living longer and healthier lives
Demographic shift by 2030
Over 70 million people will be over 65
The number of people over 85 will double
Good News!
• Move from a problem orientation of aging to seeing
the potential of older people
• Shift from deficits to strength based approach
• Desire for meaningful and purposeful engagement/the
baby boomers!
History of the field of creative aging
•
•
•
•
•
•
2001:National Center for Creative Aging was founded by ESTA
2005: Creativity & Aging Research
2005: White House Conference on Aging
2006: National Arts and Aging Conference
2006- 2010: Symposia around the country
2011 & 2013: Policy White papers: NEA,
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and NCCA
• 2013 NCCA/NEA: Communities of Practice for Arts Councils
• 2015: White House Conference on Aging
• 2014 & 2015:
Leadership Exchange and Conferences
The Creativity and Aging Study
The Impact of Professionally Conducted
Cultural Programs on Older Adults
The Creativity and Aging Study
Measured the impact of community-based art programs on
the general health, mental health & social activities of
older persons.
Primary Investigator:
Gene Cohen M.D. PhD
George Washington University (GW)
Theoretical Background for the Study
This study builds upon two major bodies of Gerontologic research:
•
Sense of Mastery and Control
•
Social Engagement
•
There is the sustaining role of art, keeping one interested and
continuing in the study.
With Aging,
Art is like Chocolate to the Brain
Major Findings
—At the Start, The Art Groups and the Controls Were Comparable
on All Major Measures
• The Art Groups improved in health; Controls declined
• Compared to the Controls, the Art Groups
—used less medication
—had fewer doctor visits
• Compared to the Controls, the Art Groups did better on
—the Depression Scale
—the Loneliness Scale
—the Morale Scale
• The Art Groups had an increase in activities, while the
controls experienced a decline in activities
Sense of Control
ESTA, New York
Social Engagement
ESTA, New York
Mastery
CEYA. San Francisco
Social Engagement & Mastery
Senior Singers Chorale
The Kennedy Center
Research: Cost Savings
There are more than 36 million Medicare D eligible persons.
In the Intervention Group 8¢ a day savings in medications,
extrapolated for the year comes to
$1 Billion in yearly savings;
$1 a day saves $13 Billion a year.
----------In the Intervention Group Doctor Visit savings are
Conservatively estimated to be around $6.3 Billion a year.
Research: Creativity and Aging Study II:
University of CA @ San Francisco
Community Music Center
San Francisco, CA
Research
•
•
•
•
•
Hackney, Kantorovich & Earhart (2007)
Tango dancing program for people with
Parkinson’s disease.
38 subjects in control or tango group
Classes for 23 weeks
Only Tango group improved on all measures
of balance, falls and gait.
Research
• Fritsch, et al. (2009)
• Ten-week storytelling intervention–
on quality of life for persons with
dementia.
• Timeslips program participants were
more engaged, alert & more frequent
staff-resident interactions & positive
staff views of people with dementia.
Capacity Building: Best Practices
Older Adult Learning Principles
•
Older people have life experience and they are the keepers of our
culture
•
Older people know what they want to learn about.
•
Older people are looking to expand their friendships and social
connections.
Capacity Building: Best Practices
Guiding Principles
• Follow Older Adult Learning Principles (Androgogy)
•
Develop Sequential Programming
•
Use Professional Artists as Educators
•
Evaluate Programs
•
Create and Maintain Sustainable Practices
Lifelong Learning
To gain knowledge and skills
in the arts throughout a
lifetime
To recognize the principles of
older adult learning
New Horizons Bands
Baltimore Clayworks
Elders Share The Arts, Brooklyn, NY
Creative Aging in Our Communities:
The Libraries Project
Community Engagement
To connect and to
contribute through the
arts in meaningful and
purposeful ways.
• Through intergenerational
programs
• Older artists give back to
community
Community Engagement
Stagebridge Senior Theatre
Oakland, CA
Community Engagement
Elders Share the Arts
Brooklyn, NY
Health and Wellness
• To develop and promote
creative expression as a
means to improved physical
and cognitive health
• Improving the quality of life
for active and frail older
people as well as their
professional and family
caregivers
Sustained Health and Wellness Programs
•
•
•
•
Meet Me at MoMA (museum-based)
Alzheimer’s Poetry Project
KAIROS ALIVE! Dancing Heart
TimeSlips
Embrace this moment!
Creativity Matters!!
Come flourish with the
National Center for Creative Aging!
Join us for the 2016 Creative Age Conference:
An International Leadership Exchange
www.creativeaging.org