Older Adults and Creative Arts: Personal and Interpersonal Change

Creative aging programs are recognized as an effective way to enhance the lives of older adults. This study examines creative arts programs offered through public libraries. Focus groups captured participants' experiences. Themes that emerged from analysis of the focus group data generally clus...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Activities, adaptation, & aging adaptation, & aging, 2016-07, Vol.40 (3), p.169-179
Main Authors: Gutheil, Irene A., Heyman, Janna C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ageing
Aging
Arts
Changes
creative aging
Creativity
Fine arts
Freedom
Healing
Libraries
older adults
Older people
Personal development
personal growth
Public libraries
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Summary:Creative aging programs are recognized as an effective way to enhance the lives of older adults. This study examines creative arts programs offered through public libraries. Focus groups captured participants' experiences. Themes that emerged from analysis of the focus group data generally clustered into two areas: Personal Change and Interpersonal Change. Personal change captured five perspectives: Healing; Safe Place/Freedom; New/Renewed Self; Creative; Joy/Fun. Interpersonal change entailed two perspectives: Connections and how they are Seen Differently by Others. The positive experiences of older adults who have engaged in organized creative arts programs suggest the potential life-changing possibilities of these programs.
ISSN:0192-4788
1544-4368
DOI:10.1080/01924788.2016.1194030