Ageing well: Investigating the health and well-being benefits of participatory arts interventions for older adults

Ageing is a growing concern in many countries. In the UK, the number of older adults (age 65+) is set to rise to almost 25% of the population over the next 20 years (Age UK, 2013; ONS, 2015). Although people are living longer, they are not necessarily living well. Getting older has been associated with social isolation (i.e., loss of partner, friends, family members; exclusion from society), which can have a negative impact on health and well-being (e.g., feelings of loneliness, poor quality of life, development of illness; Cacioppo & Patrick, 2008; Perissinotto et al., 2012). Given these shifting demographics, novel, cost-effective solutions that help older adults to stay connected and age well are paramount. This PhD project will consider one such solution, participatory arts interventions (e.g., music, drawing, theatre, writing). Drawing from the social identity approach to health and well-being and knowledge about arts practice, this project will investigate how and why involvement in participatory arts interventions in general, and Entelechy Arts' Meet Me at The Albany (MMA) programs in particular, reduce isolation and improve health and well-being over time.