Aging & Social Change: Twelfth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

The state of Delaware in the Midatlantic region of the United States is home to a growing number of adults 55+. Impacted by population aging and the state’s status as a retirement destination, well-being for seniors is a policy priority. In 2021, the state assembly formed an Aging-in-Place working group to develop policy recommendations for home and community-based services for Delaware seniors. The purpose of this focused discussion is to report findings of a community-engaged research project examining the quality of life (QoL) impacts of a Creative Aging in Libraries pilot program held in public libraries throughout the state. Participants were involved in playwriting, devised theater, pastels, and more. Pre- and post-surveys captured socio-demographic and QoL data. The research was done in collaboration with the state arts agency, librarians, and teaching artists trained in the Life Time Arts methodology. The discussion grounds the initiative within the Arts and Culture in Public Health framework. Psychologist Dr. Gene Cohen’s developmental model for the second half of life will be presented as a rationale for leveraging the expertise and connections of community-based arts organizations in planning for programs, services, and caregiver workforce training to support aging-in-place. Policy recommendations include continued investment in Creative Aging by local, state, and federal arts agencies, public support in the form of grants to community-based arts organizations that provide culturally tailored programming for seniors in under-resourced communities, and funding to incentivize cross-sector research between those working at the intersection of arts, health, and community development.