Art and culture have the power to transcend boundaries, connecting individuals and enriching people's lives, especially for the elderly. In an era where the global elderly population is increasing, integrating art into their daily lives has become a strategy to combat loneliness, foster social connections, and encourage participation.
This article explores various successful projects in the United Kingdom and Japan that have harnessed the power of art to enhance the well-being and social lives of the elderly, including those with dementia, offering an opportunity to care for the elderly's physical and mental health.
Enhancing Elderly Care through Art in the UK
In the United Kingdom, integrating art into elderly care, particularly through museum programs, demonstrates the enhancement of the elderly's well-being in various aspects. Todd et al. (2017) studied how museum-based programs are designed to foster social interaction, learning, and participation among the elderly, reducing feelings of isolation and social detachment. These programs are not solely focused on appreciating art but also provide opportunities for the elderly to engage in creating art, use objects to revive memories, and initiate conversations with caregivers or family members, making the participants feel part of a community and fostering connections.
Image 1: Activities by the Murrumbidgee Local Health District in the United Kingdom won the 2022 MLHD Excellence Award for the MPS Arts in Health Program.
Research by Jones, Windle, and Edwards (2018) discusses the impact of art activities on dementia patients using Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis to assess social, emotional, and cognitive benefits. The study highlights the multifaceted value of art activities for dementia patients, not limited to general health outcomes but also enhancing life quality and empowerment. These patients can express their thoughts and emotions, leading to a sense of identity and emotional release, crucial for those with verbal communication limitations due to dementia.
Moreover, the research emphasizes the social benefits of participating in art activities, showing that they provide meaningful social interactions for dementia patients, combating loneliness and creating a more friendly and understanding environment. The SROI framework used by Jones et al. illustrates how to assess the value of art activities in dementia care, showing that creative activities offer significant social and emotional returns, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to dementia care that includes creative expression as part of the treatment process. This research suggests incorporating art activities into dementia care, highlighting their potential to significantly improve the quality of life and well-being of dementia patients.
Art's Embrace: Enriching Elderly Lives in Japan
In Japan, innovative approaches have been taken to integrate art into elderly care, demonstrating a commitment to improving the quality of life for seniors. According to a report by Cutler (2015), projects like the Gold Theatre in Saitama Prefecture have provided opportunities for the elderly to showcase their theatrical abilities, challenging stereotypes about the limitations of aging. Such theater performances foster a sense of community belonging and purposefulness among the elderly participants.
Image 2: Elderly theater groups are becoming increasingly popular in Japan, providing both physical and mental health benefits to the performers.
Additionally, various creative art activities have been organized in communities across Japan, ranging from traditional to contemporary art forms. These initiatives promote lifelong learning and social engagement for the elderly population. The report also highlights art programs specifically designed for individuals with dementia, utilizing art as a therapeutic tool to stimulate cognitive abilities and provide an expressive outlet.
Intergenerational learning activities have also been implemented, bridging the gap between younger and older generations, fostering mutual understanding, and creating opportunities for collaborative creative work. These efforts have received support from local governments, reflecting a context-specific approach tailored to the diverse cultural and community needs across Japan.
Cutler's findings highlight the benefits of artistic engagement for the elderly in Japan, emphasizing its role in promoting social inclusion, cognitive stimulation, and cultural preservation. This holistic approach not only enriches the lives of the elderly but also serves as an exemplary model for integrating art into elderly care, which could be adapted in other societies.
Complementing community-level initiatives, an analysis by Fujioka (2022) sheds light on the efforts of cultural institutions like the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum to foster elderly participation, including individuals with dementia. Fujioka reveals a proactive and inclusive approach to developing art programs, such as online exhibitions designed not just for enjoyment but also to facilitate intergenerational communication. Participation in these activities has enhanced self-worth among the elderly and fostered community building. These findings reflect the potential of art to bridge generational gaps, encourage engagement, and promote cognitive and emotional well-being for the elderly population.
Artistic Engagement in Elderly Care
In the United Kingdom, the structure and operations of art programs for the elderly are linked to the elderly care system, such as "social prescribing." This system allows medical professionals to refer elderly patients to museum-based programs as part of a comprehensive approach to health and well-being. Generally, these programs are supported by research and designed to provide therapeutic benefits, focusing on enhancing social interactions and mental health for the elderly. Additionally, there are several private organizations that also support the elderly with creative activities at both the central and regional levels.
In Japan, a decentralized approach and collaboration with communities are integral to engaging the elderly in art. Local governments and communities support the elderly, resulting in a variety of programs that are diverse and tailored to local needs, and are suitable for specific community requirements. Thus, integrating art into elderly care emphasizes community involvement, cultural conservation, and intergenerational communication.
Recognizing the value of art in enhancing the quality of life for the elderly and those facing conditions like dementia helps the elderly lead meaningful lives, both for themselves and those around them.
References
Cutler, David. 2015. Living National Treasure: Arts and Older People in Japan. The Baring Foundation.
Fujioka, Hayato. 2022. “Creative Ageing: Museum’s Challenge towards a Super-Aged Society (Translated Version).” Translated by Hiroko Nakajima. Bulletin of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum 28 (February): 17–26.
Jones, Carys, Gill Windle, and Rhiannon Tudor Edwards. 2018. “Dementia and Imagination: A Social Return on Investment Analysis Framework for Art Activities for People Living With Dementia.” The Gerontologist. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gny147.
Todd, Carolyn, Paul M. Camic, Bridget Lockyer, Linda J.M. Thomson, and Helen J. Chatterjee. 2017. “Museum-Based Programs for Socially Isolated Older Adults: Understanding What Works.” Health & Place 48 (November): 47–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.08.005.
Viganó, Federica, and Giovanni Lombardo. 2019. “Calculating the Social Impact of Culture. A SROI Application in a Museum.” In Proceedings of the 1st International and Interdisciplinary Conference on Digital Environments for Education, Arts and Heritage, edited by Alessandro Luigini, 919:507–16. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing. Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12240-9_53.
Photo Credits
Cover Image: Krakenimages.com. (2023). [Image of arts and creativity interventions for older adults]. News Medical. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231218/Arts-and-creativity-interventions-prove-cost-effective-for-enhancing-older-adults-health-and-well-being.aspx
Image 1: Murrumbidgee Local Health District. (2022). [Image of arts in health award]. Arts Health Network. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://www.artshealthnetwork.com.au/murrumbidgee-arts-in-health-award/
Image 2: Miyakawa, M. (2018). [Image of theater festival for elderly actors in Saitama]. The Japan Times. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2018/09/20/stage/golden-oldies-saitama-theater-festival-elderly-actors-welcomes-seniors-around-world/
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