CREATIVE AGING STRATEGY
The arts contribute to healthy aging, making them an effective tool for addressing the wellness needs of older Americans who are living longer and healthier lives than they did a generation ago. Creative aging—which is a set of practices that leverages the benefits of making, sharing or otherwise engaging in the arts to foster the mental, emotional and physical health and well-being of older adults—will become an increasingly important resource in the health care continuum. State arts agencies are poised to be key facilitators in leveraging the arts and this strategy sampler summarizes the many ways state arts agencies can foster creative aging. It lifts up model programs and discusses how the arts can support older adults in community settings as well as medical facilities.