Creative Care
Healing Older Adults Through Participatory Arts Engagement
How can art become a bridge between care and creative expression for older adults?
Older adults are often excluded from creative and cultural life. Ageism, digital illiteracy, limited mobility, and a lack of inclusive tools and training prevent their active participation. Despite the proven mental, emotional, and social benefits of creative engagement, older people are frequently seen only as care recipients—not cultural contributors. We build a pathway for older adults to access, co-create, and lead cultural activities. We also equip care professionals, artists, and institutions with inclusive, practical tools and methodologies that promote creativity in later life. Through training, digital resources, and a European alliance of creative ageing leaders, we empower older people to actively participate and shape cultural life in their communities.
Visit project websiteOutcomes & Resources
'Bringing Creativity into Care' Methodology
A practical framework to embed creative practices in elder care. We call it CARES—five core principles that make creativity accessible, relational, and safe for older adults. Find out more about the methodology.
Tools to Train Creative Carers
A compilation of six training modules exploring the needs of older adults, the transformative role art can play in care practice, and the professional growth of the trainers who bring it to life.
Practical Resources for Creative Care
A curated collection of guides, good practices, activity templates, and real-life examples that show how art, music, and storytelling can transform care for older adults.
Project Partners
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
