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Art by the numbers boosts seniors’ mental health
In 2014, I followed a hunch and joined a community chorus in my area.
Before that, the only singing I’d done was in the shower or driving with the windows open on a beautiful spring day (exactly when I got the hunch!).
Now, ten years later, it’s the centerpiece of my life.
Singing magnificent music with my “chorus family” has not only eliminated the periodic bouts of depression I was prone to, but also given me a sense of belonging and community.
Moreover, I’ve developed deep friendships with people my age that will carry me well into my 70s and beyond.
So when I read a study from the United Kingdom proving that older adults can relieve depression and anxiety by “doing art” together, I wasn’t just reading a study. I was reading a confirmation of what I’d already experienced first-hand.
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It’s the togetherness that matters
Older adults are at a higher risk for developing depression due to factors like physical health issues, social isolation and loss. For similar reasons, they can also fall victim to anxiety.
Group arts interventions are already part of the UK’s social prescribing initiative, which connects patients to community activities to improve their well-being.
But so far, there has been limited evidence to support the use of group arts interventions for mental health.
Elizabeth Quinn, a PhD candidate at Queen Mary University in London, headed a meta-analysis – that is, an examination of data from studies on the same subject – drawing data from 39 studies in 21 countries.
The studies involved over 3,360 participants with depression and 949 participants with anxiety.
The results are quite remarkable. Not only were group arts interventions found to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, but these reductions were comparable with more traditional treatments, including antidepressant drugs, talk therapies or physical activity.
Older adults who lived in care homes (what we here in the U.S. call nursing homes) saw a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared with those living in their own homes in the community.
Since adults in nursing homes are typically more vulnerable to depression, this means that the use of group art experiences could have a significant effect on their quality of life.
Most importantly, the benefits were consistent whether the art experience was painting, dancing, or making music, suggesting that the “magic” lies in the shared experience of creating together rather than in one specific art.
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An “artistic” alternative to drugs
Given the fact that antidepressant drugs are known to increase the risk of stroke and heart problems, wouldn’t it be worth giving “the arts” a try?
Mind you, this isn’t about how good a painter or singer you are. It’s about being with others and enjoying an activity where you create something and send it out into the world.
It could be a song or a painting that lives on your kitchen counter. Every time you look at it, you’ll remember the enjoyment and togetherness you felt while you created it.
If you’re wondering where to find a group to create with, Google could be your best friend.
Just a quick search for “group arts for older adults” turned up groups in Washington D.C., Missouri, California, and my home state of Maine. Community Centers and Local Commissions on Aging (usually at the county level) may also point you in the right direction.
Here’s a small painting I did in a group I found in my community. Nothing museum-worthy, but I smile every time I see it.
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Sources:
The art of well-being: group activities shown to ease depression and anxiety in older adults — Eureka Alert
Group arts interventions for depression and anxiety among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Nature Mental Health
By Joyce Hollman
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