Abstract
Treasury of arts activities for older people contains 50 activities, long and short, for use in any setting with older people. The book was commissioned by The Baring Foundation. I was asked to contribute an exercise for older people that was suitable for those living with Dementia.
"We live in changing times. Year on year our society in the UK is getting older. By 2040 one in twelve of us will be over 80, and the number of us who are aged over 65 will rise from the current number of 10 million to 15.5 million, with round 1.3 million of these people predicted to be living with dementia. In this context, it seems unsurprising that the cultural sector, and the participatory arts in particular, increasingly embraces and celebrates the possibility of work that specifically targets older people as participants, collaborators and creators.
Excitingly, it is increasingly recognised that the arts, and participatory arts in particular, have the potential to play a meaningful and significant role in embracing the challenges and opportunities that this changing demographic may bring. Whether we are thinking about older people living with dementia, those facing loneliness and isolation, or the ‘young old’ who are engaged, fit and well and looking for new ways to enliven and enhance their retirement, it is now understood that the arts and culture can play a crucial part in maintaining and improving the quality of life and wellbeing for many people in later life.
For those of us working in the participatory arts, there are ever-increasing opportunities to engage ourselves in this new and growing field and this Treasury is a celebration of that great opportunity and possibility. Whether you are an artist who is just starting out in this area, or one who has been working with older people for many years, it is hoped that it will serve as a source of practical ideas and inspiration. And that it is a book that will not just sit on a shelf but become battered, bruised and well thumbed in a manner fitting to a frequently used and trusted guide."
(Postlethwaite, 2019)
Postlethwaite, L. (2019). Treasury of arts activities for older people. [ebook] London: The Baring Foundation, p.5. Available at: https://cdn.baringfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/BF-Treasury-of-art-activities_WEB2.pdf [Accessed 24 Jan. 2019].
"We live in changing times. Year on year our society in the UK is getting older. By 2040 one in twelve of us will be over 80, and the number of us who are aged over 65 will rise from the current number of 10 million to 15.5 million, with round 1.3 million of these people predicted to be living with dementia. In this context, it seems unsurprising that the cultural sector, and the participatory arts in particular, increasingly embraces and celebrates the possibility of work that specifically targets older people as participants, collaborators and creators.
Excitingly, it is increasingly recognised that the arts, and participatory arts in particular, have the potential to play a meaningful and significant role in embracing the challenges and opportunities that this changing demographic may bring. Whether we are thinking about older people living with dementia, those facing loneliness and isolation, or the ‘young old’ who are engaged, fit and well and looking for new ways to enliven and enhance their retirement, it is now understood that the arts and culture can play a crucial part in maintaining and improving the quality of life and wellbeing for many people in later life.
For those of us working in the participatory arts, there are ever-increasing opportunities to engage ourselves in this new and growing field and this Treasury is a celebration of that great opportunity and possibility. Whether you are an artist who is just starting out in this area, or one who has been working with older people for many years, it is hoped that it will serve as a source of practical ideas and inspiration. And that it is a book that will not just sit on a shelf but become battered, bruised and well thumbed in a manner fitting to a frequently used and trusted guide."
(Postlethwaite, 2019)
Postlethwaite, L. (2019). Treasury of arts activities for older people. [ebook] London: The Baring Foundation, p.5. Available at: https://cdn.baringfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/BF-Treasury-of-art-activities_WEB2.pdf [Accessed 24 Jan. 2019].
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Treasury for Participtory Arts and Older People |
| Subtitle of host publication | 50 activities, long and short, for use in any setting with older people |
| Publisher | The Baring Foundation |
| Pages | 23 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-906172-38-1 |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Jan 2019 |