Stimulating creativity in all elders: a continuum of interventions

Contemporary society seldom associates creativity with people in later adult years. We challenge that perception. A continuum of creative programs defined here shows promise for eliciting late life creativeness offering elders in the community, in residential settings, in adult day care, and in home care new avenues for expression. Life story writing and sharing groups, Visible Lives storyboards, and TimeSlips storytelling method for patients with dementia equip caregivers with new tools to nourish creativity in all elders. Evidence suggests that stimulating creativity in elders at all levels of functioning improves health outcomes. This article introduces programs designed to engage, encourage, and inspire elders regardless of functionality. All three related but discreet interventions share core components of listening with intention, utilizing positive affirmation, and facilitating sharing in community as participants develop surprising new capabilities. Health care providers, community volunteers, and family members can develop skills and techniques to implement any of the programs described. Fostering creative expression through cognitive exercise and imagination among those in later years may forestall dementias, improve quality of life for elders and their caregivers, and meet unmet personal and societal needs. These programs demonstrate the possibility of growth and creative potential at every stage in life, including the latest years, even for those with dementias.