Creative Aging is an international movement to advance the vital relationship between creative expression and healthy aging for participants ages 55 and up. It is a hybrid field that focuses on creative and artistic engagement of older adults.
Our Mission
To enhance the quality of life of older adults; emotionally, physically, and cognitively through the arts.
Here at West Valley Arts, we seek to especially serve seniors with limited resources so they too have access to the benefits of the arts.
Creative Aging Offerings
Visual Arts:
A fine-art painting class with various mediums and styles.
Watercolor
Acrylic
Alcohol Ink and MORE!
Each week’s work builds on the previous week’s.
The teaching artist is fully trained in conducting a variety of classes, including classes for individuals with physical/mental challenges.
Dance:
The focus is on building their skills and confidence by learning incremental dance steps. The intended results and benefits include an increase in balance and coordination, reduce the risk of falls, and provide the benefit of socializing with each other.
It will be a fun way to connect mind to body by using improvisation, choreography, and storytelling.
Those participating can include those who are wheelchair-bound or use a walker or cane.
Music:
Classes are designed to engage participants’ memory, happiness and/or confidence through music!
Professionally trained teachers create a fun and safe space to enjoy the songs of their past.
The Benefits of Arts on Aging
The core concepts of Creative Aging have been developed from what we have learned from many scientific studies. One of the most notable studies is the 2006 study “The Creativity and Aging Study” by Dr. Gene Cohen, former Director, Center on Aging, Health, and Humanities at George Washington University and the National Endowment of the Arts. This study concluded positive results such as:
Better Health, fewer doctor visits, and less use of medication
More positive responses on mental health measures & elevated mood
More involvement in overall social activities & greater independence
Seniors who participated in activities that delivered a sense of control and mastery AND in social engagement experienced positive health outcomes.
OUR CREATIVE AGING ARTS CLASSES ARE A COMBINATION OF BOTH!
Arts and cultural activities for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s also produced:
Enhanced communication
Improved attention
Increased moments of pleasure
To learn more about this study and other resources on the benefits of the arts and aging go here: Additional Resources
For more information and inquiries, contact our Program Director at
Dancing or Fitness Sport? The Effects of Two Training Programs on Hippocampal Plasticity and Balance Abilities in Healthy Seniors:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00305/full “Moreover, only the dancers achieved a significant increase in the balance composite score. Hence, dancing constitutes a promising candidate in counteracting the age-related decline in physical and mental abilities.”
Evolution of Neuroplasticity in Response to Physical Activity in Old Age: The Case for Dancing:
