Arts Therapies and Arts-Based Interventions for Older Adults

This editorial introduces this journal's special issue, which is focused on creative arts therapies and arts-based interventions specifically for older adults. It is noted that creative arts therapies encompass the healthcare professions that involve the intentional and systematic use of the creative and expressive process of art-making to optimize health and well-being. Visual arts, music, dance-movement, drama, literature, and poetry provide alternative means of expression to help individuals understand, make sense of, and cope with their distress within a therapeutic relationship. This special issue groups recent studies examining the role of creative arts therapies and arts-based interventions in promoting health in the older population. It examines the potential of innovative methods in music and drama therapy to foster the well-being of community-dwelling older adults and individuals with dementia. Summaries are provided for each article in this special issue. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)