CREATIVE AGEING NOTEBOOK | Issue 4 | 12 May 2020

Forward

Welcome to the fourth edition of our Creative Ageing Notebook. There can be no doubt that one of the hardest groups hit by the current coronavirus pandemic are our Seniors who have faced the toughest restrictions on the contact with others that are so necessary for their wellbeing.

In this issue, we have assembled some recent articles debunking the idea that technology is just for the younger generations and to show there are still many options available to keep connected and creative during these COVID times.

Ok Zoomer: How Seniors are learning to lead more digital lives

A generation who grew up with black-and-white TV are now video chatting like teenagers – and for many, the transition has been relatively painless. With that preamble this article certainly caught the attention of our Executive Director who got his start in the arts on a black and white TV show in the 1950’s at the age of 6!

With commentary about various personal journeys from being a tech savvy senior and to insightful commentary from RMIT and U3A, the article it debunks various myths and suggests the digital delivery of the arts may not go away after the pandemic.

Arts Mid North Coast has been seeking funding to ensure key elements in two of our partner programs (Musicians in Hospital and Movement & Dance) are able to be delivered in this age of isolation by the use of technology.

Post COVID these will still have a role to play in situations of isolation, the trick will be how they can be used in conjunctions with programs that reintroduce people back into the equation.

COVID-19: Arts and Creative Resources for older people (and anyone else) in isolation

This compilation is a valuable resource from the Baring Foundation in London which draws on it being the major international funder of creative ageing programs in the last five years.

It is a work in progress and contains invaluable information about creative initiatives and useful resources to support particularly older people in isolation and in care homes during the COVID-19 crisis.

As at the beginning of May there were twenty examples from across the United Kingdom. The Foundation is currently collecting international examples, with Arts Mid North Coast being invited to include our programs.

Apart from the above evolving toolkit it is worthwhile at this time to remind people of other valuable resources developed by the Baring Foundation.

Published in 2012, Tackling loneliness in older age: the role of the Arts includes a number of case studies demonstrating how the arts can tackle loneliness among older people. The publication was part of a Campaign to End Loneliness with the vision for fewer people to feel lonely in older age and for more people to maintain their friendships and connections through times of life change.

Download Here

A more recent publication dating from 2019 is Treasury of Arts Activities for Older People by Liz Postlethwaite, a theatre maker and creative producer.

This 124 page guide contains 50 activities, long and short, for use in any setting with older people.

Download Here

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