Creativity and Aging

Creativity-and-AgingMany of us associate getting older with decline, but some things get better with age. It turns out creativity can be one of them. With aging comes what is known as "crystallized intelligence". This is the collective benefit of a long life of experiences and acquired knowledge. While "fluid intelligence"-defined as the ability to think and reason abstractly-can decline with age-crystallized intelligence improves.

With age comes wisdom and better self knowledge. Inhibitions and self regulation decline, perhaps tapping previously unexplored areas of the brain. According to researcher Eugene Cohen this turns out to be a good thing and can lead to what Cohen calls "the new senior moment"-coming up with creative and often humorous solutions to problems. Cohen recounts the story of his 80 year old in-laws who were on their way to visit their daughter and her family in Washington DC. They had taken the subway as far as they could and planned to get a cab the rest of the way. When they came out of the subway they realized the city was being hit with a major snow storm and were not able to get a cab. Their daughter was still in her car on the way home from work and was not reachable (this was before cell phones), so they were left alone to come up with a solution to their dilemma. They simply walked across the street to a pizza delivery restaurant, ordered a pizza and asked to be delivered with it! They arrived safely at their daughter’s home and brought dinner with them!

According to Cohen, older adults tend to use both sides of their brain which can lead to the discovery of new creative talents. Examples of this are all around; http://www.youngatheartchorus.com/ has an average age of 80 among its members. The Alzheimer’s association has a program called "Memories in the Making" where people who are living with dementia are guided by a trained facilitator to create art, some of it quite remarkable and often from people who have never painted before.

Dr. Cohen’s Creativity and Aging study showed that older adults who were involved in community based creative pursuits:

  • Have fewer doctor visits
  • Take fewer medications
  • Have less depression


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The creative activity does not necessarily have to be active. A recent study at the University of Maryland Hospital, in Baltimore, for example, found listening to joyful music is associated with improved vascular health. Researchers found that those who listened to joyful music experienced a 26 percent increased blood flow. Those who listened to music that elicited anxiety experienced a 6 percent decrease in blood flow. "A lot of research has established a foundation for the health benefits of music, whether it shows physically through movement or energizing people, or cognitively by keeping the mind alert," said Al Bumanis, a music therapist and director of communication for the American Music Therapy Association. Brookdale’s Music of Our Times Celebrations theme this year gives residents multiple opportunities to experience music. This month we are celebrating Jazz.

The latest thinking on brain health stresses the arts and creative pursuits-things that are novel and complex-as very beneficial to keeping the brain active and nimble. Activities like getting involved in theatre, joining a choir, taking an art class or learning to play a musical instrument provide stimulation in numerous areas of the brain and usually involve social interaction as well. All of this combines to help form new connections in the brain.

The lesson here is that one is never too old for self discovery and most will benefit immensely from new creative pursuits. Never stop learning and growing and remember the words of C.S. Lewis: "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."