Embracing the Art of Aging: How Creativity Enhances Senior Health

While creative pursuits can be their own reward, they also serve as a workout for your brain that offers tangible benefits for cognitive health, emotional balance, social connectedness, and longevity – according to one study on men aged 45-89, creativity is associated with a 12% decrease in mortality risk.

“We know engagement in creative activities is associated with a range of benefits, including improved mood and well-being in older adults,” says music sociologist and Associate Professor Helen English of the University of Newcastle.

Below, we’ll explore some of the ways seniors can introduce more creativity into their lives – and reap the many rewards that come with it.

The Benefits of Creativity for Seniors

Research suggests that seniors who take up creative pursuits – either by learning new creative skills or continuing to develop ones they’re already familiar with – can benefit from improved cognitive function, greater self-esteem and sense of purpose, and lower levels of stress and apathy. Creative endeavors like writing, painting, and making music employ skills like brainstorming, problem-solving, and self-expression that challenge our brains in ways that more routine and repetitive activities cannot.

“Promoting creative activities for healthy aging is a big priority for our social programs,” says Melissa Orr Azzarto, Resident Engagement Director at Coterie Hudson Yards. “We plan group outings for our residents so they can enjoy guided tours of the Met or go to a Broadway show or a concert at Lincoln Center. But we also offer a variety of on-site creative activities, from watercolor classes to bouquet-making workshops to live musical performances in the lounge. There’s so many ways for our residents to have creative experiences.”

In March, as part of the A Year of Parties Social Series, Coterie Hudson Yards and Coterie Cathedral Hill will host a Makers Showcase event featuring original work by local artisans as well as any residents who want to participate.

“It’s going to be a fun crafts fair kind of environment where residents can stroll from one display table to another and talk to the artists and craftsmen about their work,” Orr Azzarto says. “And residents can also display their own work, so it’s a nice way for people to share their creative endeavors with their neighbors.”

There will also be an interactive craft workshop, where residents can make their own customized Cabochon keychains, as well as plenty of snacks and bubbly beverages provided.

The Power of Music

Music can be a particularly potent tool for maintaining cognitive health, says Broadway violinist and bandleader Victoria Patterson, who is the Director of Music Programming at Coterie Hudson Yards.

“There’s something about people’s connection to music that transcends the moment they’re in,” she says. “Maybe someone associates this song with a specific time in their life, or maybe a certain lyric will trigger some memories they haven’t thought of in a while. And it’s so wonderful playing at Coterie, because the residents here really know their music – we can have a string quartet play Beethoven or a Broadway star singing showtunes and the crowd’s always into it.”

Patterson says that performing for memory care residents is especially rewarding.

“Almost as soon as the music starts playing, you can see something light up in some residents’ faces, and soon some of them are clapping and singing along,” she says. “It’s really remarkable to have these interactions where maybe someone struggles to remember certain things about their life, but they still know every word to South Pacific.”

Everyday Creativity

The value of creativity also extends beyond traditional artistic endeavors. Georgetown University psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal has defined creativity as “having the ability to make unexpected connections, either to see commonplace things in new ways or unusual things that escape the attention of others and realize their importance.” Creativity can be defined not only as what we create but how we see the world.

One key to fostering more creativity in everyday life is to seek out experiences that stimulate your brain in new ways. This can include anything from taking piano lessons or learning a new language to traveling to new places or attending more concerts and live performances. Even fairly small changes to a regular routine, like taking a new route on your daily walk or setting aside thirty minutes a day to read, can stimulate your brain in ways that have profound effects.

Creative Aging Strategies

Here are a few tips for infusing creativity into your daily routine.

• Have fun. Explore the creative pursuits that you truly enjoy without worrying about how “good” the end product will be. We can benefit most from creative activities when we don’t put too much pressure on ourselves.
• Try new things. It’s never too late to explore creative outlets you’ve always been curious about, or to take your existing artistic talents in new directions. Learning new instruments and skills, creating art in new mediums, and experimenting with different artistic techniques and styles can help your creative process expand and evolve.
• Find a community. Sharing creative work with others is a great way to build social connections and new friendships. Art classes, singing groups, and writing workshops are all great opportunities for seniors to get new creative perspectives and support each other’s work.
• Embrace technology. Digital platforms can provide access to online resources and communities, like online classes, virtual art galleries, and social media groups. Art and video technology like Canva or TikTok can be great tools for creative self-expression.

Dynamic Aging Through Creativity

There’s no age limit for unlocking creativity. By welcoming more creativity into their lives, seniors can find a rewarding outlet for artistic pursuits while also benefitting from greater mental stimulation, emotional balance, sense of purpose, and social connection.