Lia Miller, Executive Director of the Center for Creative Aging, co-founded the Evergreens Renaissance Program to provide creative classes and continuing education for nursing home residents. She has provided numerous workshops and presentations on creativity and aging across the state, including last year’s Governor’s Conference on Aging.
When some people hear the word creativity they immediately say, “Oh, I’m not creative. I can’t even draw a straight line.” But creativity is much more than drawing or painting. It is a big part of who we are.
It not only includes the fine arts, music, dance, drama, etc., but also how we interact with others, make decisions, dress, decorate, and even drive. The Center for Creative Aging North Carolina (CCA-NC) defines creativity as “something new added to the world that has value.”
But, does creativity matter?
The late Dr. Gene Cohen, director of the Center on Aging, Health, and Humanities at George Washington University, answered that question through his ground-breaking research study called “The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on Older Adults” (more commonly referred to as The Creativity and Aging Study). Cohen, who was known as the go-to expert on matters concerning the mature brain and its lifelong capacity for learning and creativity, was the principal investigator for this national, three-year study.
The study found that older adults participating in professionally conducted arts programs:
- used less medication
- had fewer doctor visits
- experienced elevated mood
- showed an increase in the level of independent functioning where decline normally would have been expected
- did better on scales for depression, loneliness, and morale
- exhibited an increase in number of activities, while those not participating experienced a decrease.
Dr. Cohen noted that those participating in professionally conducted arts programs showed areas of actual stabilization and improvement apart from decline – despite an average age which was greater than life expectancy [80]. In short, this research demonstrates that involvement in challenging participatory arts programs has a positive effect on physical health, mental health, and social functioning in older adults, regardless of their ability. (The executive summary is available at www.gwumc.edu/cahh/rsch/index.htm)
“Any activity that optimally uses both the right and left hemispheres is like chocolate to the brain,” stated Cohen, who also authored two books, The Mature Mind (Basic Books, 2006) and The Creative Age (William Morrow, 2000). He said that essentially humans have “two brains” similar to us having two kidneys when only one is needed. When performing a new creative task, a mature brain will use the left hemisphere but also borrow from the area of the right hemisphere that corresponds with it. “It’s as if we’ve switched from two-wheel to all-wheel drive!” He also noted that “Creative activities such as painting, music, and writing are all good examples of what the brain finds fulfilling.”
With all this research and new information, we are finally reaching a turning point in society’s view of aging. Yes, growing older is fraught with problems, no doubt. But it is also full of new potential. So, consider challenging yourself with a new creative activity. It just may help you live a longer, healthier and happier life!