the vital relationship between creative expression and healthy aging

The Vital Relationship Between Creative Expression and Health AgingJanice Blanchard | President, Aging Better Together

Chair, President’s Council, National Center for Creative Aging

Creative Expression for the Brain?

• Self-mastery

• Positive immune

system response

• Social engagement

• Brain plasticity

Gene Cohen, MD, PhDDirector, Center on Aging, Health & Humanities, George Washington University Washington, D.C.

Author, Creativity and AgingThe Mature Mind

Gene Cohen, MD, PhD

Director, Center on Aging, Health & Humanities,

George Washington University Washington, D.C.

Author, Creativity and Aging

The Mature Mind

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

National Center for Creative Aging

Benefits• A national program that provides local

impact• Program crossover between other NCCA

initiatives

Features 40 states involved in a national community

of practice Monthly webinars and biweekly learning

group calls Developing a Field Guide to increase state

capacity to open access to the arts to older adults

Capacity Building: ENGAGE Initiative

• Arts Advocacy Day at the Capitol w/ Americans for the Arts

• Dementia Arts on Capitol Hill

• Thought Leader Forum on Arts & Aging

• 2005 & 2015 WHCOA Events

• 2005 & 2015 WHCOA Delegates

• Beautiful Minds

Policy & Public Awareness

• The Summit on Creativity & Aging in America (2016)

• The Arts and Aging - Building the Science (2013)

• The Arts & Human Development (2011)

• Creativity Matters: Arts and Aging in America (2008)

Research & Development

Research & Development:

• NCCA Creative Caregiving Initiative

• Directory of Creative Aging Programs in America

• NCCA Online Artist Training in Arts and Aging

• Arts & Healing at the VA

Aging Better Together

• Capacity Building for Aging in Community Projects

• Education, Training & Workshops

• Research & Program Development

• Public Policy & Advocacy

Transformation in the Arts & Aging

1. Changing Demographics

The Boomers are coming – and the caregivers are too!

2. Culture Change

Emphasis on person-centered care not institutional ease.

3. New Research

Creative engagement promotes health and quality of life.

1. Changing Demographics

• Changing Family Patterns, Living Arrangements & Life Cycle

• The “Grand Tweens”

• More “Conscious” Caregiving

• 10,000 a day @70 years

• More Diversity

• Healthier, Wealthier, Wiser, & More Demanding

• Challenging Status Quo

1. Changing Demographics

Changing physically how we age

1. Changing Demographics

2. Culture Change in the Arts

Traditional Care Settings

• Allow/passive

• Sing-a-long

• Story hour

• Arts & Crafts

• Solitary

• All Elders

• Onsite

2. Culture Change in the Arts

Person-Centered Care

Enable/active

Choir, Chorale, Music lessons

Book Club, Writing Workshops

Creative Expression/Engagement

Group Projects

Intergenerational

Onsite & in Community

3. Growing Body of Research on Creativity and Later Life

“The Aging and Creativity Study”The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on Older Adults

Elders Share the Arts (ESTA), Brooklyn, NY

Center for Elders & Youth in the Arts (CEYA)Institute on Aging, San Francisco, CA

The Levine School of Music,

Washington, DC

Potential National Cost Savings

There are more than 37 million Medicare D eligible persons.

Annual Medication Savings:$.08 a day x 365 = $1 Billion in yearly savings $1 a day saves $13 Billion a year.

Doctor Visit Savings:$6.3 Billion a year.

3. Growing Body of Research on Creativity and Later Life

Journal of Aging, Humanities and the Arts (2010)

“Impact of Arts Participation on Health

Outcomes for Older Adults”

Melissa Castora-Binkley, Linda Noelker, Thomas Prohaska, &

William Satariano

One year of participation in a professionally led chorale group:

used fewer over-the-counter medications

had fewer falls

fewer physician visits

higher morale

decreased loneliness

Six months of individualized piano instruction:

better scores on perceptual speed and memory tests than the control group

Selected Findings

15 weeks of jazz dance instruction:

improved balance

8 sessions of theatrical training over 4 weeks:

• improved recall, recognition, and problem solving tests

Selected Findings

3. Growing Body of Research on Creativity and Later Life

2013 Literature Review

The Gerontologist (2013)“Participatory Arts for Older Adults”

Tony Noice, Helga Noice & Arthur F. Kramer

8 studies of dance (contemporary, ballroom, choreographed):

• Improvement in posture, balance, • reaction time & gait speed • Improvement in cognitive tests• Improvement in general health

3 studies of expressive writing:

• decreased depression• improved self concept• improved processing speed, verbal

learning, and attention

Findings for 2013 Literature Review

10 studies of music (piano playing, choirs, instrumentals): decreased depression & anxiety higher nonverbal memory recall greater cognitive flexibility improved social & emotional well being increased human growth hormone

7 studies of theatre: improved cognition improved confidence & self esteem reported better health

3 studies of painting and pottery: improved mental & psycho-social health reduced negative emotions higher self esteem perceptions of life as more meaningful & enjoyable

Findings for 2013 Literature Review

Innovative Models of Creative Arts

Elders Share the Arts

Jeannie KellyFounder and Artistic Director

Judith-Kate Friedman, Founder and Director

“The trust that we have brings us home.The faith that we have brings us home.The love that we have brings us home.All, singing: “Oh how the wind can blow.Oh how the wind can blow, wow.Oh how the wind can blow—Wow!”

Gary GlaznerFounder & Ex. Director

“I have lived here a year and this is the

first time I have sat through an activity

to the end. You made us all poets.”

Ann BastingsFounder & President

He’s got long legs. Oh boy!He sure is jumping.He is into the music.His name is Jumping Joe or Jumping Jack.He is in Texas. He is on his guitar, or maybe a violin.He’s no Gene Autry, that’s for sure, but he sounds good to me.

Jennie Smith-PeersExecutive Director

Maria GennéFounder & Director

Aging + Creativity = Potential for New Growth

As I get older, I get smaller. I see other parts of the world I didn’t see before. Other points of view. I see outside myself more.

- Neil Young

Loretta’s Story

Tim CarpenterFounder, EngAge

Burbank Senior Artists Colony Burbank, CA

“To expose myself artistically was terrifying,

especially at my age.”- Suzanne Knode, 63

Suzanne’s Story

Director: Ronny NovickProducer: Tim CarpenterWriter: Susan KnodeDirector of Photography: Ronny NovickKey Cast: Gasper Hartounian, SarkisHagopian, Helen Miller

"BANDIDA" (12 min)

This American LifeSeason 1, Episode 5:

“Growth Spurt”Showtime Networks,

Ira Glass

“I really thought all of thishad just passed me by.”

- Suzanne Knode, 63

“I am sort of in shock. Something so major is happening.”

- Suzanne Knode, 63

“I didn’t think I’d be able to find something new inside of me. You know that same feeling when you got out of school and the whole world was open to you? Now, all over again, the whole world is open to me.”

-Suzanne Knode, 70

Key Ingredients for Successful Programs

Involve professional artist(s) to teach

Recruit passionate and visionary leadership

Find volunteers, especially at start-up

Partner with community organizations – e.g., schools, civic organizations, arts, music and dance organizations

Strive for outcomes that create a positive impact on elders and others in the community – e.g., build community, address social issues or improve health

Consider program(s) that span across generations & abilities

Create a sustainable business model over time

CreativeAging.org Winners of the 2014 Beautiful Minds Campaign presented by NCCA and DSM Nutritional Products

Come flourish with theNational Center for Creative Aging!

Communities of Practice Online Artist Training NCCA Creative Caregiving Guide Directory & Field Guide Organizational Memberships Webinars & Consultancies International Conferences,

Symposia, Workshops

202-895-9456

Join the world in Washington DC!

24-28 SEP 2016

CreativeAging.org

Janice Blanchard, MSPHPresident, Aging Better Together

Denver, COjanicecsa@comcast.net

Questions?