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Symposium

Interdisciplinary

The Benefits of Creative Activities for Diverse Groups of Older Adults

Saturday, November 16, 2024
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM PST
Location: Room 3B
CE: 1.5

Participation in creative activities is said to be beneficial for older adults and is often suggested for healthy cognitively intact and cognitively impaired populations. The purpose of this symposium will be to explore the benefits of different kinds of creative programs and interventions offered to diverse groups of older adults of different ability levels. The first paper in this symposium will discuss theory and the psychosocial context of creativity in older adults. The observed and hypothetical benefits will also be discussed from different frameworks, including life-span developmental psychology and dementia studies. LaVona Traywick will present the physical and emotional benefits of her dance program with older adults with Parkinson's disease. Jennifer Dorris will discuss her experience incorporating music into her activities with older Down's syndrome patients. Justine McGovern will be a discussant for this session, tying together the different presentations.

Learning Objectives:

  • explain the differences between a theoretical approach to creative aging and actual practice
  • compare the impact of creative interventions for differently-abled older participants
  • compare the impact of different creative interventions employing different modalities

Presentations:

  • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM PST
    The Benefits of Creative Arts Interventions for Older Adults: The Sociocultural Model and the Dementia Studies Model

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Carolyn E. Adams-Price, PhD (she/her/hers) – Mississippi State University

  • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM PST
    Dance as a Creative Arts Program for Seinor Adults With Parkinson's Disease and Their Caregivers

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: LaVona Traywick, PhD, MA – Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

  • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM PST
    Characterizing Music Participation for Adults With Down Syndrome
  • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM PST
    Adaptations in a Drumming and Horticulture Intervention for Older People Living With Intellectual Disabilities

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Emily S. Ihara, PhD, MSW, FGSA (she/her/hers) – George Mason University