Older Adults

Problem:

Senior citizens attend centers and are engaged in simple activities.  It is important to continue to stimulate older people cognitively to keep their minds and bodies active.

Result:

Arts for Life is a program supported by the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and Broadway Theatre of Northeastern Pennsylvania that engaged older adults in working with professional artists.  When attending the program, the participants discovered new, creative ideas and ways of thinking.  The artists involved seniors in classes where they worked with others to create new works of art.  Classes in dance, theatre, visual arts, creative writing and music were provided by professional artists.   The participants did not need any prior experience in the arts in order to participate.  The artists/educators are experts in developing talents and abilities. The program is weekly and virtual and in person.  

Training was provided to all artists in the program through the regional service agency to older adults.  Artists learned about the special needs of the aging population.  The program was part of a state-wide research project that offered substantive evidence of positive changes in feelings of isolation and loneliness in the participants.  Additional information included reports about making new friends, enjoying the arts, learning new skills and having fun learning.  Many participants reported that they were likely to attend arts programs in the future.