Susan PerlsteinFounder Emeritus,

National Center for Creative Aging

Creative Aging: State of the FieldIn the United States

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

organization designated by

the NEA that serves the

spectrum of aging through—

Capacity Building

Policy and Public Awareness

Research and Development

• 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

BIG PICTURE

• 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!

Good News!

• 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

History of the field of creative aging

The Creativity and Aging Study

The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on Older Adults

The Creativity and Aging StudyMeasured the impact of community-based art programs onthe general health, mental health & social activities ofolder persons.

Primary Investigator:Gene Cohen M.D. PhDGeorge Washington University (GW)

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.

Theoretical Background for the Study

With Aging, Art is like Chocolate to the Brain

• 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 thecontrols experienced a decline in activities

Major Findings—At the Start, The Art Groups and the Controls Were Comparable on All Major Measures

Sense of Control

ESTA, New York

Social Engagement

ESTA, New York

Mastery

CEYA. San Francisco

Social Engagement & Mastery

The Kennedy CenterSenior Singers Chorale

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 areConservatively 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

• 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.

Research

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

Capacity Building: Best Practices

To gain knowledge and skills in the arts throughout a lifetime

To recognize the principles of older adult learning

Lifelong Learning

New Horizons Bands

Baltimore Clayworks

Elders Share The Arts, Brooklyn, NY

Creative Aging in Our Communities: The Libraries Project

To connect and tocontribute through thearts in meaningful andpurposeful ways.• Through intergenerational

programs• Older artists give back to

community

Community Engagement

Stagebridge Senior TheatreOakland, CA

Community Engagement

Elders Share the ArtsBrooklyn, NY

Community Engagement

• 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

Health and Wellness

• Meet Me at MoMA (museum-based)• Alzheimer’s Poetry Project• KAIROS ALIVE! Dancing Heart• TimeSlips

Sustained Health and Wellness Programs

Embrace this moment!

Creativity Matters!!

Come flourish with theNational Center for Creative Aging! Join us for the 2016 Creative Age Conference:An International Leadership Exchange

www.creativeaging.org