| | Aging Doesn’t Have to Be an Obstacle to Creativity
Helen Dennis, editor of the Aging Question & Answer for the Daily Breeze, fielded a question asking if a colleague's loss of creativity was normal. Dennis responded that a) the colleague in question may just have changed interests and b) creativity usually grows with age. She quotes Dr. Gene Cohen, who wrote, "Creativity is built into our species, innate to every one of us, whether we are plumbers, professors, short-order cooks or investment bankers." She added Dr. Cohen believed age just added another dimension to creativity. Dennis went on to list creative geniuses who accomplished great things in their later years, from 89-year-old Frank Lloyd Wright to 82-year-old Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to 79-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who turned his creative eye towards the practical invention of bifocal glasses. The Daily Breeze, June 22, 2011 MORE> |
Mamie's Light When Mamie moved out of her son’s house and into a care facility, her health started to decline. However, she then experienced the healing power of love when she met Eddie. After a whirlwind few months of square dancing, listening to country music and laughter, her wellbeing returned and the couple became happily engaged. While this might seem wondrous, the American Health Association has done scientific studies that found being optimistic is wonderful for one's health. "Color every page of your life using the brightest crayons in the box," Mamie had advised. Mamie's optimism sustained her to age 97, but she passed away from heart failure before the wedding. Tis better to have loved and lost, an optimist once wrote, and surely those touched by Mamie's warmth feel the same way. Monterey County Herald, June 20, 2011
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The Fountain of Youth: Lessons from Jack LaLanne
Jack "The Godfather of Fitness" LaLanne's beliefs on the factors of longevity were backed up by the New England Centenary Study in 2009, but he earned his nickname many years earlier. Besides the vigorous exercise routines that this former Strength and Fitness cover boy recommended, he also emphasized that it’s never too late to change your life and you have to work at living. He also predicted, "Age isn't the killer. Inactivity is the killer." This belief system led to a long life that ended earlier this year, at the age of 96. Always one to walk the walk, or sprint the sprint as the case may be, LaLanne was giving lectures and writing books right up to his last day.
The Washington Times, June 20, 2011 MORE> |
Study by TCs Research Center for Arts and Culture Finds Aging Performers "Still Kicking" In New York City last week the Research Center for Arts and Culture (RCAC) revealed its newest study, "Still Kicking: Aging Performing Artists in the NYC and LA Metro Areas." Based on interviews with actors, dancers, choreographers, musicians, and singers 65 and older, the study found that performing artists are leading the way on the trend of starting second careers. The study, led by RCAC Director Joan Jeffri and UCLA Professor Martin Iguchi, also found that the aging performers are highly satisfied with their lives and are well-connected to their fellow artists. Said Professor John Allegrante, Jeffri's research has "profound implications for our thinking about how we can support" aging artists. RCAC will move to NCCA in September. Teacher College News, June 16, 2011 MORE> |
Active Social, Spiritual and Physical Life Helps Prevent Health Decline in Seniors, Study Finds A new study by investigators at USC's Occupational Therapy department has found that preventive measure can be taken to lessen ill-health and depression in older adults. "What is critical is that, as we age, we continue to be engaged in life through a sustainable mix of productive, social, physical and spiritual activities," says Professor Florence Clark. By staying engaged in these areas, the investigators believe older adults are saving both themselves and society higher costs. The article stresses starting the engagement in these activities before the problems start, and importantly, sustaining the routine. ScienceDaily, June 8, 2011 MORE> |
At 93, D.C. Ballet Teacher is still Dancing
Having been denied a chance to join a premier dance company by the forces of segregation during the first half of her life, Therrell Camille Smith has made up time by becoming a premier dance teacher in her second half of life. She has enjoyed sharing dancing with thousands of students, and says of the arts' importance to children, "It creates and stimulates your imagination, and you just have greater dreams, I think." While she may not have ever imagined she would be still teaching ballet at the age of 93, she does dream of many years to come for her and her toe shoes. NPR, June 7 MORE> |
Centenarian Learning to Read and Write Shortly after passing the century mark, Brazilian Isolina Campos returned to school to learn to read and write. Campos says, "I don't like to remain inactive ... and I'd like to be an example to those who study." With the Brazilian illiteracy rate being around 7.4% of the population, Campos’s example is much needed. However, Campos's does not only serve as a good role model for students, but for older adults as well. She studies, she says," So I don't stay at home with nothing to do." Her engagement with education is as admirable as her nearly perfect attendance record. The Vancouver Sun, June 4, 2011 MORE> |
Volunteer Going Strong at 97 Volunteerism has been recommended as a great way for older adults to stay engaged. Betty Groves says that "volunteering is the rent we pay" for a long life. If that is true, you would be correct in assuming this 97-year-old does a lot of volunteering: every Saturday afternoon she can be found volunteering at the public library, and she also tutors three times a week. This engagement might be what keeps her sharp; she still drives, does her own housework, cooks and bakes. After a long life of traveling with her work for military contractors to places like the Artic Circle and the Mojave desert, Groves and her husband vactioned in Europe, Australia, Panama, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and Afghanistan. Grove says that staying engaged "keeps you physically and mentally active." North County Times, May 31, 2011 MORE> |
The Bilingual Advantage Cognitive neuroscientist Ellen Bialystok has uncovered that speaking two or more languages increases aging adults' cognitive function and helps people with Alzheimer's disease deal with the symptoms better. Explaining the science behind it, Bialystok described how bilinguals' brains constantly have to ignore one language or the other, training the brain to concentrate only on relevant information. Bialystok emphases bilingualism doesn't prevent Alzheimer's disease, but her findings "meant that as the disease took root in their brains, they were able to continue functioning at a higher level."
The New York Times, May 30, 2011 MORE> |
Miami Nonagenarian Discovers Artistic Talent
When Anne Forster broke her pelvis at age 90, she has no idea it would lead to her personal Renaissance. Moving into the Miami Jewish Health Services home after her surgery, Forster began to take art classes and was soon awing her children with her water-color masterpieces. "To me, it's so gratifying, I love it," said Forster. "It's a piece of me...so people will remember it always." Forster also has begun weaving, ceramics, knitting, painting and jewelry, and finds herself lamenting the shortness of the day. NBC Miami, May 26, 2011 MORE> |
Curriculum for the Ages – How Can You Measure This? In Steve Nelson's impassioned plea for school standard sanity, he cites a recent intergenerational theatre program as an example of a great learning experience that isn’t used enough. He refers to his Calhoun School’s work with a senior center down the street, in which fourth graders took older adults' stories and acted them out on stage. He notes what value the process has for teaching students about history and empathy, and the joy and excitement it brought to the seniors. Nelson says, "The fourth grade students in this project and their neighborhood friends will never forget it." He then asks why such unforgettable lessons are sacrificed for test answers that are so often forgotten. The Huffington Post, May 25, 2011 MORE> |
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| © 2011 National Center for Creative Aging. All Rights Reserved. Please Note: Featured events, services and products are not endorsed by the National Center for Creative Aging. Opinions and views expressed are not necessarily those of National Center for Creative Aging's board of directors, membership, sponsors or staff. |
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