"The healthcare system really needs to pay attention much more than it has in the past to primary prevention among older adults, to improve the health of individuals and help them maintain it," says [Thomas Prohaska, dean of the College of Health and Human Services at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia].How much have we spent already on all this art therapy? Why are we only now getting the science? There's an awful lot of sentimentality around the idea of art. Of course, it must be uplifting and vitalizing. But is it?
"I would suggest that art has a major role. Where it stands in the scheme of things is yet to be determined."
March 19, 2013
"Proponents of the arts have long argued that creative therapy can help ageing patients."
"Now, scientists have begun investigating that claim."
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Several years ago, there was a book out about the topic of overtreatment in medicine, and in particular, that appalling numbers of treatments had become standard (and were often quite expensive) without any clinical trials to back them. The bone marrow treatment for breast cancer became a standard treatment due to political pressure and even (I think) legislation until, many years after, clinical studies finally proved that despite the high cost of the treatment, it harmed more women than it helped.
I suspect that any activity that keeps someone mentally and physically engaged would be helpful in a number of ways.
I'm not really thrilled with the idea that recreational activities, such as art, music, etc, should be funded with healthcare dollars. But I understand the incentive for people in those fields to think that they should.
Jungian psychology is where art therapy originated, if you didn't know.
We can pay for this art therapy by making the rich pay their fair share, and getting rid of mammograms!
Well, actually, it must not be, but it may be.
however, this sounds like another dodge from the Silver-Haired Angel of Death to avoid spending Medicare money on aging patients.
Arbeit Macht Frei, as they say.
Art has always gotten me pussy.
So, it's good!
Wannabe artist that I am, I've long been looking forward to my dementia to get things started.
Wannabe artist that I am, I've long been looking forward to my dementia to get things started.
The arts is probably the only profession in which dementia is an advantage!
Art therapy helps art therapists who obtained a useless degree mortgaging their future to pay back their student loans.
You just know how such a study will turn out. Any study of the benefits of day care programs or gay adoptions is bound to produce positive results. Any results to the contrary, are an example of right wing bias..... I'd be interested in knowing the correlation between porn consumption and the advance of Altzheriemer's. Maybe it has more positive effects on cognitive function than dancing.
Altzhereimer's disease--an arthrtitic condition of the wrist brought on by the excessive consumption of porn.
Right! Take the old folk down to see the crucifix submerged in urine; that should buck them up pronto--and help them to order their souls for the last roundup.
If Grandma remains down in the dumps after her sessions of art-therapy,
she might want to undergo a course of custom-hat therapy with Monsieur Treacy.
I see a bumper sticker saying "Art Saves Lives", but that's just an assertion. Never seen data on it.
If you live past 85, the chances of Altzheimer's are one in two. The best way to avoid this fate is not by developing one's artistic or musical abilities. I recommend lots of BBQ washed down with 32 oz. sodas. Heavy consumers of bbq rarely live long enough to develop Altzheimer's. BBQ seems to me the most humane way of rationing our years on earth.
William, your point is well taken, but remember the wise words of Mickey Mantle: "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."
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