From the abstract:
The term “creative aging,” in the broadest sense, describes an aging policy idea that focuses on highlighting the creativity of older adults in order to prepare individuals and communities to manage old age. Programs focus on the evolution of creativity over the lifespan and aim to provide meaningful participatory engagement, especially through the arts.
From the abstract:
Social entrepreneurship is usually understood as an economic activity which focuses at social values, goals, and investments that generates surpluses for social entrepreneurs as individuals, groups, and startups who are working for the benefit of communities, instead of strictly focusing mainly at the financial profit, economic values, and the benefit generated for shareholders or owners. Social entrepreneurship combines the production of goods, services, and knowledge in order to achieve both social and economic goals and allow for solidarity building.
From a broader perspective, entities that are focused on social entrepreneurship are identified as parts of the social and solidarity economy. These are, for example, social enterprises, cooperatives, mutual organizations, self-help groups, charities, unions, fair trade companies, community enterprises, and time banks. Social innovation is a key element of social entrepreneurship.
Social innovation is usually understood as new strategies, concepts, products, services, and organizational forms that allow for the satisfaction of needs. Such innovations are created in particular in the contact areas of various sectors of the social system. For example, these are spaces between the public sector, the private sector, and civil society. These innovations not only allow the solving of problems but also extend possibilities for public action.
From the abstract:
In recent years we may observe increasing interest in the development of social innovation both regarding theory as well as the practice of responding to social problems and challenges. One of the crucial challenges at the beginning of the 21st century is population ageing. Various new and innovative initiatives, programs, schemes, and projects to respond to negative consequences of this demographic process are emerging around the world.
In this Research Topic, we welcome papers critically evaluating the existing social perspectives and theories in the field of ageing, introducing innovative approaches and comparative studies. We welcome researchers from areas such as sociology, pedagogy, public policy, economics, management, and public health. The contributions can be based on theoretical studies as well as the implementation of social innovation and programs addressed at ageing and older people. Reviews and papers on philosophical and ethical issues are also welcome.
From the abstract:
The members of the International Network for the Analysis of Intergenerational Relations (Generationes) proudly present the most recent issue of the jointly produced compendium “Generations, Intergenerational Relations and Generational Policy.” The compendium presents and discusses the key concepts of intergenerational research in a systematic way. Its approach is characterized by the assumption that the forms of intergenerational relationships in families and kinship, institutions and communities is playing a fundamental role in the construction of individual and collective identities, and therefore in the development of societies. A cross-cultural, comparative approach accounting for linguistic diversity provides a promising avenue for theoretical, empirical and practical work in this currently crucially field for the social sciences, humanities and social policy.
This new version includes 17 languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish, Hungarian, Turkish, Romanian, Lithuanian, Slovenian (new), Bosnian (new), Ukrainian (new), Russian (new) and Chinese (new).
Complete List of Contributors:
A publication called, “Aging in the Social Space” is a compilation of studies, which deal with theoretical understanding and empirical solutions, learning about problem spheres, specifying content parallels of social, legal, economic, moral and ethical views on senior issues in society, which are closely related to each other and are interconnected. This publication focuses on the case study of Poland. It is supposed to provide a multidimensional view of old age issues and issues related to aging and care for old people in society. We believe that it is natural also to name individual spheres, in which society has some eff ect, either direct or indirect, within issues concerning seniors. Learning about these spheres is the primary prerequisite for successful use of social help to seniors in society.
Over the past two decades evidence about the role of the arts in promoting health and wellbeing has grown substantially, including studies reporting the impacts of arts engagement for older adults. However, much evidence is based on secondary sources and is focused on particular art forms. This large survey of 5,300 adults in the UK during 2018-2019 examined the connections between art engagement and social wellbeing using the HEartS Survey, a tool that aims for inclusivity while being shorter than many existing arts engagement measures.
It is distinctive in several ways. It focuses specifically on mental and social wellbeing; it explores trends in participatory arts and receptive arts vis a vis a wide array of arts, from performing arts to crafts; it groups respondents into three clusters: “low engagers,” “receptive consumers,” and “omnivores;” and it investigated the extent to which engagement with different art forms and activities occurs mainly alone or with others. In addition, the study contextualized the findings with other research through in-depth analysis of both content and methods.
With respect to older adults the authors discuss the many studies on older adult loneliness and lack of social connections and the beneficial effects of art consumption and art making. They also point out recent epidemiological studies that document the role of participatory arts in strengthening and building relationships and promoting “reciprocal relationships among older adults and the wider community.” This national survey, with its detailed discussion of methodology and findings, offers an instructive model for other research on arts engagement trends in different adult populations.
“The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) is dedicated to preserving and expanding the rich and diverse cultural resources that are and will become the heritage of New York’s citizens.”
Creative Aging Focus:
An early supporter of lifelong learning, NYSCA was one of the first arts council in the U.S. to expand their Arts in Education program to include instructional arts programs for older adults. They have supported multiple trainings and seed programming projects throughout the state. In 2020, in collaboration with the NY State Office for the Aging, through a grant to Lifetime Arts, they established a cross-sector alliance to serve older adults through arts education.
“The New York State Office for the Aging’s (NYSOFA’s) home and community-based programs provide older adults with access to a well-planned, coordinated package of in-home and other supportive services designed to support and supplement informal care. NYSOFA’s overall goal is to improve access to, and availability of, appropriate and cost-effective non-medical support services for older individuals to maximize their ability to age in their community and avoid higher levels of care and publicly financed care. NYSOFA achieves this through our network of 59 area agencies on aging.”
Creative Aging Focus:
NYSOFA recognizes the importance of creative aging programming as an antidote to social isolation of older adults. Their 2020-2021 collaboration with the State’s Council on the Arts is a national model for cross-sector state level support of older adult services.
“Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America.”
Creative Aging Focus:
The National Endowment for the Arts has long been a supporter of creative aging. They were one of the sponsors of Gene Cohen’s research, which was published in 2006 (“Creativity and Aging”). In addition to sponsoring multiple studies, forums and conferences around the arts and aging, the NEA has also funded many programs and efforts to build the field.
“We envision a city that embraces aging. Our mission is to enhance the lives of people 55+ with meaningful programs, resources, and connections so together we can live and age strong in Boston.”
Creative Aging Focus:
Age Strong initiatied a successful creative aging pilot with funding from Goddard House, a non-profit senior service organization. They partnererd with the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and engaged Lifetime Arts to train teaching artists and community organizations to design and implement programs for older adults.