PRODUCTIVE AGING AND CREATIVITY: THE LIVES AND ARTS OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AND WAYNE WALLACE

Abstract

Art is a critically important part of daily life, and for some, can be life saving. Art enables people to express themselves in unique ways and is an activity that can continue as the person ages, even in the presence of physical and chronic diseases, as well as neurocognitive disorders. Art also leads to intergenerational exchange of ideas and interests. Art can be done in group formats, or may be a solitary activity, which makes it a particularly useful pursuit for older adults who may be alone or isolated. Older adults can age productively through arts media. Several well-known artists serve as role models for this notion of Productive Aging through the Arts. Additionally, artistic goals and abilities can change as the person ages. This presentation will review the concept of linguistic density in relation to its predictive value for the likelihiood of developing a neurocognitive disorder. The lives of three artists who worked in three different media will be described: Agatha Christie, Frank Lloyd Wright and Wayne Wallace. The presenters will provide an overview of each artist's upbringing, life experiences, and views and how these affected their perspectives on art, their own work, and their relationships. Christie, a prolific mystery novel writer, continued writing up to the year before her death at age 85. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect, interior designer, writer, and educator designed more than 1,000 structures, of which 532 were completed, and several of these were constructed posthumously. His last design occurred the year of his death at age 91. He is regarded as the "greatest American architect of all time". Wayne Wallace is a trombonist, arranger, producer and composer specializing in Latin Jazz music. He is recognized as one of the most prominent educators in Afro-Cuban music in the country, and has conducted workshops on the topic worldwide, including in Cuba.