Arts for the Aging-Maryland Inc 

Rockville, Md. 

Designated as a “Trailblazer” by the Maryland Department of Aging, Arts for the Aging (AFTA) provides creative caregiving through multidisciplinary group arts programming that stimulates the minds, bodies, spirits and imagination of older adults. Focusing particularly on older adults with dementia, AFTA programs decrease social isolation, combat loneliness and help counter depression with more than 800 older adults in 26 residential care and community settings in the Greater Washington, D.C. area.

AFTA was awarded $7,500 to continue its participatory Joy in Generation programming that provides creative caregiving through multidisciplinary group arts participation that stimulates minds, bodies, spirits and imaginations for improved health and wellbeing of older adults, especially those living with aging-related health impairments like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

One older adult, who is a participant in an Arts for the Aging program at an adult day center, was asked what the arts mean to her. She responded, “Art had been a viable part of my life until and work took over. It wasn’t until I started attending an adult day center, where Arts for the Aging programs take place, that I reopened my love for and participation in the arts. This has truly changed my life! Arts for the Aging has opened my eyes and my heart to a life filled with hope, fulfillment and renewed life satisfaction.” The Executive Director commented that, “This is transformative because it’s easy to feel lonely and isolated in aging, especially if we are becoming less agile or mobile. And, health impairments compound when we are isolated and lonely.”

To learn more about Arts for the Aging-Maryland Inc visit: https://aftaarts.org/.