Perspectives on creative well-being of older adults

Abstract

The growing aging population has become a significant global issue in recent years, increasing the need for research that examines aging-related phenomena such as personal growth and development in later life. A major challenge in achieving this aim is the prevailing deficit perspective on aging, which is so pervasive that it often overshadows older adults' contributions to society and diminishes the opportunities encountered in older adulthood. Although perspectives on the nature of aging are gradually changing in a positive way, and the developments in medicine are improving health-related aspects of aging, it is still a worldwide challenge to eradicate negative stereotypes around aging. This article explores empirical perspectives on aging by analyzing diverse narratives gathered from open-ended interviews we conducted in Finland from 2019 to 2021. Focusing on their aging experiences and the value of a broad range of creative engagements and interventions that older adults have joined voluntarily, the study aims to provide a better understanding of personal perspectives of aging, the creative well-being of older adults, and the growing diversity of experiences within the older age group. Based on the findings of this study, we highlight the importance of promoting older adults' engagement in art-based interventions to enhance their creativity and well-being in later life, as well as fostering aging-friendly co-creative approaches in such interventions by involving the older adults themselves in the process.