The Vital Relationship Between Creative Expression and Health Aging Janice Blanchard | President, Aging Better Together Chair, President’s Council, National Center for Creative Aging
Creative Expression for the Brain? •
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Self-mastery Positive immune system response Social engagement Brain plasticity
Gene Cohen, MD, PhD Gene & Cohen, MD, PhD Director, Center on Aging, Health Humanities, Director, Center on Aging, Health & Humanities, George Washington University Washington, D.C. George Washington University Washington, D.C. Author, Creativity and Aging Author, Creativity and Aging The Mature MindThe Mature Mind
National Center for Creative Aging 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
Capacity Building: ENGAGE Initiative 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
Policy & Public Awareness • 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
Research & Development • 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: • 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
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Education, Training & Workshops
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Research & Program Development
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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 • 10,000 a day @70 years • More Diversity • Healthier, Wealthier, Wiser, & More Demanding • Challenging Status Quo
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Changing Family Patterns, Living Arrangements & Life Cycle
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The “Grand Tweens”
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More “Conscious” Caregiving
1. Changing Demographics Changing physically how we age
1. Changing Demographics
2. Culture Change in the Arts Traditional Care Settings • • • • • •
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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
Selected Findings 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
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
Findings for 2013 Literature Review 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
Innovative Models of Creative Arts
Elders Share the Arts
Jeannie Kelly Founder and Artistic Director
“The trust that we have brings us home.
Judith-Kate Friedman, Founder and Director
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 Glazner Founder & 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.�
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.
Ann Bastings Founder & President
Jennie Smith-Peers Executive Director
Maria GennĂŠ Founder & 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 Carpenter Founder, EngAge Burbank Senior Artists Colony Burbank, CA
Suzanne’s Story
“To expose myself artistically was
terrifying, especially at my age.” - Suzanne Knode, 63
"BANDIDA" (12 min) Director: Ronny Novick Producer: Tim Carpenter Writer: Susan Knode Director of Photography: Ronny Novick Key Cast: Gasper Hartounian, Sarkis Hagopian, Helen Miller
“I really thought all of this
had just passed me by.”
- Suzanne Knode, 63
This American Life Season 1, Episode 5: “Growth Spurt” Showtime Networks, Ira Glass
“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
Come flourish with the National Center for Creative Aging!
Winners of the 2014 Beautiful Minds Campaign presented by NCCA and DSM Nutritional Products
Communities of Practice Online Artist Training NCCA Creative Caregiving Guide Directory & Field Guide Organizational Memberships Webinars & Consultancies International Conferences, Symposia, Workshops
CreativeAging.org
202-895-9456
Join the world in Washington DC! 24-28 SEP 2016 CreativeAging.org
Questions?
Janice Blanchard, MSPH President, Aging Better Together Denver, CO janicecsa@comcast.net