Aging creatively: How arts, storytelling, and hobbies can enrich later life

As we age, we often seek ways to maintain cognitive vitality and emotional well-being. Art and creativity, in its many forms, offers more than aesthetic pleasure; it becomes a therapeutic tool that can support cognitive health, emotional resilience, and even social connection.

Creative expression, whether through painting, music, writing, or dance, can be transformative, providing outlets for self-expression, socialization, and mental stimulation. Beyond traditional forms of “art therapy,” other creative activities—like storytelling, gardening, and even exercise—can help older adults tap into new aspects of their creativity while supporting cognitive and emotional health.

What the research tells us

Research into creative activities for older adults has uncovered several potential benefits. For example, studies show that engaging in visual art therapy, creative storytelling, and community-based activities like gardening can offer cognitive, emotional, and social benefits to older adults across a range of thinking and memory skills.

One evidence synthesis focusing on lifestyle and psychosocial interventions to address cognitive decline in older adults found that engaging in arts and storytelling has been shown to support cognitive health, particularly in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).¹ Specifically, regular participation in art therapy can improve memory, cognitive flexibility, and emotional well-being. Activities like painting, drawing, and creative writing can foster decision-making, problem-solving, and abstract thinking—skills that are vital for mental agility. Additionally, storytelling programs, especially in group settings, can boost social connectedness, reduce symptoms of depression, and enhance memory recall. Finally, for older adults with MCI, combining artistic activities with physical exercise (such as Tai Chi) has been shown to provide even greater benefits. Studies show that even moderate levels of physical activity, when incorporated with creative activities like storytelling or arts programming, can significantly improve memory, executive function, and mood in older adults with MCI. Programs that integrate resistance training or aerobic activities, done twice weekly over several months, have been found to yield significant cognitive benefits. Adding artistic or storytelling elements to these activities offers both cognitive and emotional rewards, enhancing motivation and engagement, particularly in older adults who may find exercise alone less appealing.

Another evidence synthesis highlights the potential benefits of gardening as a versatile activity that provides older adults with an opportunity for creative expression, physical activity, and stress relief.² Studies focusing on gardening for older adults reveal that it fosters sensory engagement, maintains fine motor skills, and encourages interaction with others, which can lead to increased feelings of social connection. The act of nurturing plants offers purpose and routine, which are essential for mental well-being. Gardening can also stimulate memory and a connection to past experiences, enhancing older adults’ sense of continuity and purpose. Older adults who engage in gardening often report higher levels of life satisfaction, improved physical mobility, and reduced feelings of loneliness, which together contribute to a better quality of life. This type of creativity can be especially beneficial in community and nursing home settings, where gardening activities can increase engagement and enjoyment, promoting a more active and satisfying lifestyle.

Finally, an evidence synthesis about leveraging the arts for improving communication and understanding in later life found that engaging older adults with the arts serves as a meaningful approach to foster communication about aging, age-related challenges, and associated care.³ Research included in the synthesis shows that the arts not only help reduce physical symptoms like blood pressure and mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, but also enhance social connectivity, community involvement, self-efficacy, and overall wellness among older adults. Furthermore, arts-based interventions can reshape perceptions of aging, moving away from a focus on decline to a view that celebrates growth and creativity in older adulthood. Studies have employed various forms of art, including storytelling, performance theater, and drama, to address issues like dementia, ageism, and social isolation, with programs often tailored to specific needs in aging populations. This research highlights the potential of using the arts in later life to leverage creative expression as a pathway to healthier and more fulfilling aging experiences.

Embracing creativity in later life

While engaging in creative pursuits isn’t a miracle cure, it holds the promise of enhancing well-being and cognitive health in ways that traditional therapies may not. Here are a few practical ways to begin or deepen creative engagement:

• Join local art programs: Look into community art classes or museum programs designed for older adults, which often offer social engagement alongside creative expression.
• Explore online creative communities: For those unable to join in-person programs, many organizations now offer virtual classes, enabling social interaction and creative exploration from home.
• Reconnect with personal artistic passions: Whether it's knitting, gardening, wood carving, piano, or photography, engaging with a beloved hobby can bring joy, a sense of accomplishment, and mental stimulation.
• Consider intergenerational arts activities: Collaborative projects with family members or friends of different generations can help foster connection and share cultural memories, enriching both personal and social well-being.