“Contrary to widespread beliefs that older populations consume resources that would otherwise go to youth, there is growing reason to think that older people may be just the resource children need.” —Laura Carstensen.
Social exclusion is related to subjective well-being in older adults across different European regions.
The article “Social Exclusion and Subjective Well-being Among Older Adults in Europe: Findings From the European Social Survey” shows that old age social exclusion are related to multiple factors including ageism, low socioeconomic status, declined social network, poor health, and urbanization.
This article also underlined that older adults in the Nordic nations are more likely to indicate higher levels of subjective well-being and lower levels of social exclusion, while older adults from Central and Eastern European nations tend to report lower levels of subjective well-being and higher levels of social exclusion.
The research we conducted within the Creation POP project shows that the use of creativity within social prescribing initiatives may play a key role to address social exclusion and ageism. Besides facilitating social interaction and avoiding stress and anxiety, creativity can act as a contemplative tool for self-development, building up confidence, self-esteem, problem-solving and coping skills.
The objectives of our project highlight how it is both interesting and necessary to involve older adults in activities which are multicultural and intergenerational, and in their design and implementation. This is to develop and promote authentic understanding and exchange in terms of dialogue between younger and older adults. It is fundamental to understand each other’s needs and hopes and, during the process, provide an opportunity for both older and younger people to come to know each other.
Creative opportunities provide the possibility for older adults to continue to be both mentally and physically active. It also enables them to see their valuable contribution not regardless of but because of their age and life experiences.
Various activities will be organized soon. To follow project updates visit www.creationpop.eu and follow us on Facebook!
About the project
Creation POP – A creative social prescription approach: promoting wellbeing of persons of older age through creativity-based intergenerational activities is a project funded by the program DG EAC, Erasmus+: Key Action 2, Cooperation partnerships in adult education.
Partners
- Gerontological research institute (Slovenia, Coordinator)
- DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY (Ireland)
- LAUREA-AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY (Finland)
- Associacio La Xixa Teatre (Spain)
- CESIE (Italy)
- Izobrazevalni center Geoss d.o.o (Slovenia)
For further information
Read more about Creation POP, visit www.creationpop.eu and follow us on Facebook.
Contact Chaima El Kdali: chaima.elkdali@cesie.org
