There is emerging evidence that social prescribing can lead to a range of positive health and wellbeing outcomes for people, such as improved quality of life and emotional wellbeing. Though there is a need for more robust and systematic evidence on the effectiveness of social prescribing, social prescribing schemes may lead to a reduction in the use of NHS services, including GP attendance. 59% of GPs think social prescribing can help reduce their workload.
We seek comfort from other beings, which in the absence of other humans often finds a solution in relationships with dogs. The positivity for health is particularly relevant to the elderly, who may be especially isolated and emotionally vulnerable. Although sharing one's life with a dog gives purpose and comfort, it also brings anxieties regarding care and separation should that relationship change or cease. For the elderly, this concerns being worried for the dog's fate should they be separated by entering housing or care facilities, or by illness or death.
Commissioned by the Baring Foundation, the publication spotlights some of the best examples of orchestral work supporting older people living better lives and meeting the challenges of health and loneliness.
Intergenerational contact has previously been shown to have important benefits to older and younger people’s self-concept, and to reduce negative stereotypes of ageing. The aim of the Still Stomping: a project led by Moving Memory Dance Theatre and Gulbenkian, is to improve self-concept and age attitudes by celebrating age in an intergeneration dance theatre context.
New research finds that the work of Moving Memory counters age stereotypes - and that if we have more positive attitudes to ageing, we are more likely to feel better and be healthier.
ArtSpeak - a new peripatetic outreach arts programme working across communities in Nottingham are recruiting for an experienced evaluator to join the three-year project.
From 2015-17, we surveyed the many creative ways that older people engage with music, and explored why the majority of care homes do not regularly offer this opportunity. We found a wealth of evidence supporting the use of music for older people, particularly for those living with dementia. However, we also found there was limited evidence available about how music programmes can impact on a whole care home.
In the absence of cures or effective pharmacological treatments for the dementias, the inherent possibilities of the arts for transforming the lived experience of dementia and even their therapeutic potential for addressing these complex conditions, is gaining widespread recognition
The University of Derby's Creative Ageing Research Cluster invite you to attend a seminar on 'Dancing with Shadows: Choreo-cartography as mode of method of embodied memory' with Dr Beatrice Jarvis (Lecturer in Dance, Kingston University, London). Choreo-cartography as mode of method of memory production and investigation of the embodied spatial archive through the process of the choreographic workshop as space for the presence of ephemeral mnemonic geographics?
There is some wonderful work happening in the creative ageing field with spoken word, creative writing and literature - and there should be more says David Cutler!
The wonderful Michael Rosen explores how to communicate with people with dementia. Alison Wray offers advice, such as to respond to the feeling behind the words rather than the words themselves.
Are you aged 50+? Do you participate in the arts? Do you live at home? Do you consider yourself to be healthy? If so, and you're based in Cambridge, you may be eligible to participate in my research study.
Artsworks' funding enabled us to develop two pieces of professional development for artists engaged, or wishing to become engaged, in participatory arts practice with older people: 1. Sharing Practice – a facilitated ‘reflective learning’ group for experienced older people’s arts practitioners, taking co-mentoring as a core facilitative process 2. Older and Wiser – a one day conference style event for emerging older people’s arts practitioners
Let's celebrate the wonderful exchange of ideas and practice between different countries we see in the creative ageing field today - International Older People's Day.
In partnership with Arts Council England, 64 Million Artists is delighted to announce the publication of Cultural Democracy in Practice - a practical guide to help arts and cultural organisations embed democracy at the heart of their work.
The University of Derby's Creative Ageing Research Cluster is delighted to launch their seminar series 18/19 programme. All seminars are FREE to attend and open to all, but booking is essential through eventbrite.
Theories of cognitive reserve, disuse syndrome and stress have suggested that activities that are mentally engaging, enjoyable and socially interactive could be protective against the development of dementia.
“I have happier thoughts, and have something to look forward to. I like being appreciated. I am more motivated to get out and about. My greatest joy is sharing my love for music. I am feeling more involved; with Rural Arts, with the village, and with my daughter and am feeling better about life, especially in the last few weeks.” Norman, aged 96.
When people hear the word shed, they may think about a rickety wooden building at the bottom of a garden crawling with spiders, filled with old paint tins, a lawnmower and out-of-date weedkiller. It has also been associated with the term “man cave” – a space where a man spends time on his own, tinkering with junk or avoiding his partner. But our new research found there was more to the humble shed than meets the eye – mainly thanks to a revolutionary social programme which is fighting loneliness.
xA nationally representative survey of 1,002 GPs, recently commissioned by Aesop, has revealed that 66% of GPs agree that public engagement with the arts can make a significant contribution towards preventing ill health among the public.
Find out more about our work exploring the impact simple creativity can have on the mental wellbeing of older people.
Loneliness is a prevalent phenomenon within the older adult population. Previous literature suggests that technology use, specifically internet use, can alleviate loneliness and improve well-being. This research study follows 32 people over the age of 65 using a digital technology for six months.
Unexpected Encounters makes the case for the role that museums can play in supporting older people as individuals to live well, helping them to deal with the changes brought about by age, and challenging negative, deficit models of aging.
This report provides a snapshot of the diverse creative ageing training provision available to artists and care staff in the UK as surveyed in July 2017.
Men are living longer and while this is good news, research indicates that older men are increasingly experiencing loneliness. The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness estimates that eight million men (of all ages) in the UK feel lonely at least once a week, with nearly three million reporting that it is a daily occurrence. One in ten men said they would not admit to feeling lonely. Emerging findings from an ongoing evaluation of a programme in Leeds, called Time to Shine, provide learning on how to support older men who are, or may be at risk of being, lonely.
I am a PhD student at the University of Derby, researching Creative Ageing. I am currently conducting a systematic review of participatory arts for promoting wellbeing & quality of life for healthy older adults. In addition to reviewing the evidence base, I am keen to find out the range of creative activities on offer to older people across the country.
From September to October 2014, Filipa Pereira-Stubbs spent 4 weeks in the United States, visiting three hospitals, researching how their Wellness and Arts programmes serve patients, staff, caregivers and the wider hospital community. Complimenting the hospital work, she met dance practitioners who work in the community with elderly populations.
AND HOW JAPAN CARES FOR ITS GROWING NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA BY PAM SCHWEITZER WINSTON CHURCHILL TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP 2017
Making Bridges with Music (MBWM) was an intergenerational pilot intervention thatworked with participants from 5 months to 100 years of age in 3 care homes in the Torbay area of the South West of England. MBWM was an innovative music and arts intervention that ran for 6 weeks (May-July 2017) and worked collaboratively with pre-school children, elderly people living in care homes, childminders and care home staff members. MBWM was funded primarily by Awards for All with the support of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Doorstep Arts and Torbay Early Years Advisory Team. The intervention team included musicians, visual artists, singers and actors with vast experience working in community settings with diverse groups.
Creativity in Mind is a collaboration with UCL Division of Psychology and Life Sciences exploring the impact of everyday creativity on people experiencing low mood and anxiety. It's free for anyone to take part in.
The Baring Foundation is inviting applications from academic institutions to research and produce a public report on the development of the fields of arts by and for older people in the UK over the last decade.
The purpose of this Guide is to introduce some of the fundamental elements of Intergenerational Practice. It is intended to be of practical use particularly to those working in Voluntary and Community Sectors (VCS), Local Authorities (LAs) and Central Government Departments (CGDs).
Intergenerational programmes are often seen as 'nice to have' rather than necessary. So in a time of restricted funds, priorities turn to other, more pressing needs. However, social psychological research has been gathering evidence over decades which highlights the key benefits arising from promoting good relationships between seemingly opposing social groups. These social groups can (and do) include 'the old' and 'the young'. The evidence has been disparate, however, and the whole notion of an age group comes with problems. How old do you have to be to be 'old'? At what age does someone stop being 'young'? Answers to these questions are so dependent on context that perhaps the notion of an age group at all becomes difficult. Yet we do make some judgements of each other and ourselves, based on our age. Ageism has a host of negative effects for older and younger people, and for society as a whole.
The second report is intended to explore in greater depth the development of the museums, health and wellbeing sector. The data on which it is based come from a variety of sources, including consultation involved in the production of a good practice guide for projects involving older people; from regional trainings that took place across England in 2017; from evaluation feedback from these trainings; from discussions that fed into the co-design of the online resource; and finally from a second museums, health and wellbeing survey.
The National Alliance for Museums, Health and Wellbeing has produced a series of webinars exploring health, wellbeing and museums from different perspectives
This new Guide could throw light on our communication with older people. Although older people are no different from younger people in most ways, there are some physical and mental changes that occur naturally as the human body ages.
In 2019, Arts 4 Dementia is organising a Best Practice Symposium on the theme of Social Prescription for Dementia, to showcase best UK examples of partnerships and social prescription and it needs your help. Does your organisation run arts programmes for people with dementia in the community, with referral through Social Prescription? Or perhaps you run a voluntary creative or cultural befriender scheme, whereby two individuals, one with dementia and an escort who share a passion for the arts, go to arts events together, whether participatory or performance?
I am look for FREE venues in Cambridge to hold focus groups for my PhD research into Creative Ageing. Venues could be an arts organisation, community centre, village hall....somewhere inviting, safe and quiet!
Over the last 2 years, 64 Million Artists has worked with Leicester Ageing Together to explore the impact of everyday creativity and digital tools on the wellbeing of older people. This action research project was funded by Nominet Trust and The Baring Foundation.
The findings of our new report That Age Old Question reveal that ageist views are held across the generations, and that an ageing society is viewed by many as a challenge rather than an opportunity. We are making a number of recommendations aimed at addressing some of the key drivers and negative consequences of societal ageism.
Creativity and Learning in Later Life examines how processes such as ‘creativity’ and ‘inspiration’ are experienced by writers who engage with the visual arts, and questions how age is perceived in relation to these processes. The author’s careful analysis challenges many of the assumptions on which museum education currently operates, contributing to wider debates surrounding the value of arts and cultural heritage education.
Homemade Circus uses circus to improve the health and wellbeing of older participants. This booklet for care homes enables care homes and day centres to try out some simple circus games themselves.
This research highlights a need for a fundamental re-think of digital inclusion policy and practice for people in later life. There are now more people online in later life than ever before. Over the last several years, the proportion of older people using the internet has risen considerably faster than for the general population.
Throughout 2016-2017, people over 60, explored the relationship between ageing and culture with writer, Sarah Butler, through a series of conversations, debates, investigations and creative writing workshops.
Through Age UK's wellbeing research, it has attempted to find out what makes later life worth living. Its new report explores the striking impact of creative and cultural activities.
I am seeking help please with some work I am doing to look at the role and impact of creative arts and cultural participation in reducing loneliness. Please would you help me with any research references, contact details of anyone working in this specific area, pointers, suggestions, ideas, by contacting me at paullewiscann@gmail.com . I’d be enormously grateful.
Around 450,000 older people live in care homes in the UK. Older people in care are likely to be particularly disadvantaged in terms of access to arts and cultural activities, but participation in the arts can have a huge impact on wellbeing at what can be a difficult time of life. We gave Age Cymru a grant in 2015 for cARTrefu, a programme of artists’ residencies in care homes in Wales, jointly funded with the Arts Council of Wales. The first phase delivered nearly 2,000 hours of multi-form arts provision to over 1,500 residents in 122 care homes. A second phase is now underway.
This report contains the initial findings from a study into creative social activity and older adult wellbeing. Key findings highlight the benefits to older women's self-worth and belonging resulting from regular social participatory arts activities.
Normally associated with children – in particular, a future king of England – it may come as a surprise that Montessori education methods can be highly effective for supporting people with dementia.
Frances Williams PhD research explores how devolution is impacting the field of Arts in health. I began this enormous task last year by trying to understand the big picture, looking at how policy frameworks and forms of government diverge in their approach to Arts in Health – not only between the(four)nations but recently devolved(English)city-regions too.
Frances Williams PhD research explores how devolution is impacting the field of Arts in health. I began this enormous task last year by trying to understand the big picture, looking at how policy frameworks and forms of government diverge in their approach to Arts in Health – not only between the (four) nations but recently devolved (English) city-regions too.
An exchange with Taiwan on the theme of creative ageing reveals some inspiring projects from one of the world's fastest ageing societies.
It has been highlighted as a public health priority to identify ways of supporting well-being in older age to allow people to lead healthy and integrated lifestyles. This study explored whether membership in eight different sorts of community groups was associated with enhanced experienced, evaluative and eudemonic well-being among older adults.
A new study, published in the journal Systematic Reviews, conducted by researchers at the University of Liverpool and Newcastle University has identified the most effective initiatives for promoting respect and social inclusion for older people living in the community.
This work-based research by Jacqueline Richards makes a timely contribution, bringing together older people’s voices, work-based practice, theory and learning to create new knowledge that can inform future research and practice, whether large or small scale.
Created Out of Mind is a team aiming to explore, challenge and shape perceptions and understanding of dementias through science and the creative arts.
Recognition of the role of artistic and creative practices in enhancing health, wellbeing and quality of life is gaining increasing significance as evident through a number of reports, research and news articles, initiatives and events.
The symptoms of hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people with dementia could significantly improve by listening to and playing music, according to a report. The study, which compiled existing evidence as well as talking to experts, found music can help people with dementia recall information and reduce symptoms such as anxiety, agitation and aggression.
Integrating arts and culture into NHS plans will both save and change lives, write Lord Haworth and Rob Webster. “Creative Minds not only saved my life, it gave me a life”. I first heard Debs Taylor, a peer project development worker, tell me this at a conference on social prescribing. In one sentence, she captured why a focus on the arts and health should be a fundamental part of every NHS plan and strategy.
A new report from the Commission on Dementia and Music. With the number of people living with dementia in the UK expected to reach one million by 2025, this is a hugely important issue for society as a whole, and one which the ILC-UK has focused on for over ten years. Whilst dementia and music might seem like a niche topic, the work of the Commission has, for the first time, brought together experts, specialists, and people with dementia to examine the topic holistically. The Commission has outlined the value and benefits of music for people with dementia, whilst also looking at the important next steps which can be taken to ensure that everyone with dementia is able to access music.
The Age of Creativity is a network of professionals and organisations that thrives by working in partnership. If you’re specialism is research and your work supports older people to enjoy improved health, wellbeing and quality of life through the arts and culture, then your website could feature here for free. If you provide information on your website that our national network could benefit from then we really need to connect up so get in touch today.”
