As we grow older, we gain wisdom but often struggle with the loss of physical and cognitive abilities. The arts keep us vibrant by providing physical and mental stimulation, entertainment, and avenues for social interaction and connection. Ten thousand people turn 65 each day, and the fastest-growing age group in the United States is women 85 years of age and older. By , the U. This increase in an aging population will weigh heavily on the already-stressed social services and medical sectors, as well as on the caregivers of these older adults.
Getting older can be both a joy and a challenge. It can also be a time of periods of loneliness, declining health, and the grappling with the end of life.
The arts are there for all of it. Arts participation can improve health, decrease depression and loneliness, and increase participation in other kinds of activities. It also has been shown to decrease anxiety, which affects cognitive performance and decision-making, and lower the risk of dementia. Using the arts to engage with aging effectively provides life-long learning, increases social engagement, decreases loneliness and isolation, and improves frail health and memory loss at home or in care facilities.
The arts literally make your brain grow. Participating in the visual arts for as little as 10 weeks has been shown to increase the resiliency and neural connectivity of the brain, making for increased self-awareness and better memory processing.
Bolwerk, A. After a year of singing in a chorale, older adults visited their doctor an average of 2. Cohen, G. The Gerontologist, 46 6 , β Professionally-conducted participatory arts programs impact older adults by improving health, decreasing depression and loneliness, and increasing participation in other kind of activities.
