OpinionsPathwaysAgeing and the culture & arts landscape

Ageing and the culture & arts landscape

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The number of older people here in the Philippines, like in several Asian countries, escalates a lot faster than the growth of the country’s total population.

In the year 2000, there were 4.6 million senior citizens (60 years or older), equivalent to roughly six percent of overall population.

Ten years after, it grew to 6.5 million or approximately 6.9 percent of aggregate Philippine population.

Estimates from the National Statistics Office shows that by year 2030, senior citizens will make up about 11.5 percent of the country’s total population.

In Dumaguete, based on 2018 data from the office of the Department of Social Welfare & Development, there are approximately 18,000 senior citizens residing in our midst.

While that number is infinitesimal compared to the actual and overall population of the city, it is a significant aspect to think about considering that their differing, and sometimes, cumbersome needs have an enormous effect on everyone else — the youth, those in their mid-40s, and 50s, and even on very young children. And that is because, as a process, ageing increases the demand for health services.

The elderly suffer from both degenerative and communicable ailments because of the ageing of the body’s immune system. Leading causes of morbidity are infections, while visual impairment, difficulty in walking, chewing, hearing, osteoporosis, arthritis and incontinence are other common health-related problems.

However, instead of us calling this a “problem,” we should expect and help our seniors to become productive throughout their lifespan or in their golden years by using the arts.

But why the arts? Well, for one thing it isn’t expensive, it can be done anytime, and there’s not fuss about it. If one enjoys doing what he/she is doing, she can continue, but if the enjoyment is no longer there, then it is always easy to stop doing it.

Most seniors would say, “oh no, I’m too old for that,” or “I can’t do that, my bones will crack,” and so on and so forth.

In the West, many seniors have made a mark for themselves in the creative fields. An example would be Millard Kaufman, who wrote his first novel, Bowl of Cherries, at age 90. Then there’s 93-year-old Lorna Page, who caused waves in Britain with her first novel A Dangerous Weakness. Following in the footsteps of Grandma Moses (who did not take up painting until in her 70s), former patent attorney John Root Hopkins turned to art in his 70s and had a showing of his work in the American Visionary Art Museum at age 73.

Actually, there are numerous examples throughout history of the creative power of the aging brain — Benjamin Franklin invented the bifocal lens at the age of 78, Thomas Hardy published a book of lyric poetry at age 85, Frank Lloyd Wright completed the design of the Guggenheim Museum in New York at age 92, and Giuseppe Verdi wrote Falstaff, perhaps his most acclaimed opera, at the age of 85.

Which means, nothing is ever too late.

Let’s take a look at the primary benefits when the elderly engages in art or creative activities:

Enhanced motor skills and coordination. In creative activities, a participant focuses on a single task like painting, drawing, sculpting, or other creative projects. Engaging in these non-strenuous physical activities helps to enhance coordination and increases blood flow, which in turn improves dexterity in the hands, wrists, and fingers. Thus, any creative activity will help adults with arthritis or other joint conditions manage inflammation and chronic pain.

Heightened cognitive function and stimulus
. Engaging in artistic pursuits challenges people to think imaginatively which correspondingly boosts cognitive function. The process of learning something new, such as a new art skill, helps to stimulate healthy brain activity and keep an ageing person’s mind to become sharp. Some studies even suggest that art may reduce the rate of development of memory conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. For seniors living with memory loss, the process of creating art can be an avenue for communication and self-expression.

Better-quality moods and excellent mental health. Creative activities are known to lessen feelings of unease, hopelessness, and tension in people of all ages. In one study, older adults who participated in arts activities experienced lower levels of loneliness, depression, and better morale. The soothing effect of using a paintbrush or pencil to paper helped them relax and focus on positive feelings. Ultimately, creative activities can be a powerful tool to help older adults cope with common issues like isolation, loneliness, and stress, which can lead to health-related problems and eventually to painful death.


More opportunities for social connection
. In many cases, being in a creative activity takes place in a social environment, which encourages participants to socialize and facilitate communication with those around them. For older adults who may struggle with feelings of loneliness or isolation, artistic pursuits give them the opportunity to exercise their social skills and make new friends in a relaxing and casual setting.

Hopefully, the few theater groups that we have in the City will initiate something that would entail the participation of senior citizens.

Or perhaps, the City government can sponsor Balitaw competitions, Balak contests, senior citizen dance groups.

Or maybe, civic organizations can create/sponsor activities that would attract ageing people. This way, our seniors will not feel that life has already passed them by and boringly wait for that unknown day when they have to bade all their loved ones goodbye.

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Author’s email: [email protected]

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