3rd Annual Creative Aging Conference to Be Held September 24-27 in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Creative aging promotes artistic expression in the lives of older adults in order to improve health and wellbeing. Studies show that for those over 65, people involved in weekly art programs have fewer doctor visits and take less medication than those without creative outlets. Additionally, art has been shown to foster connections between those with Alzheimer's and dementia and their caregivers, whether family or professional.

The National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) will convene global leaders to address the practice, research, and business of creative aging with a global perspective for its third annual Leadership Exchange and Conference from September 24-27, at The Newseum Knight Conference Center and other landmark institutions. The 2016 NCCA Leadership Exchange and Conference is comprised of three signature events: the 2016 NCCA Leadership Exchange at The Newseum Knight Conference Center; the NCCA Professional Development Institute (PDI) ; and a series of community, national advocacy, and field networking events. 

This year the Leadership Exchange and conference will explore vital themes, emerging wisdom, and innovation of the field. With a special emphasis on Age Friendly Cities, Global Brain Health, and Creative Caregiving the keynotes, plenary sessions, presentations, professional development and social and networking events will engage, equip, impact, and inspire the work of the attendees.  Attendees across the spectrum of creativity and aging- from family and professional caregivers to artists, practitioners, researchers, arts institutions, health and human services agencies, and senior service organizations and administrators-will experience and contribute to dialogue, best-practice, capacity-building, and innovation that will serve the field and expand their work.

Key presenters include:

• Jane Chu, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
• Karsten Klein, Deputy Mayor, the Hague
• Nina Kraus, Professor, Northwestern University
• Cynthia Wu, CEO, Shin Kong Life Foundation

Helen Kivnick, Professor of Social Work, University of Minnesota, said of her experience at THE CREATIVE AGE 2015, "This time is an opportunity to create networks that are meaningful. You are interacting with your colleagues on the basis of who they really are and what the essence of what they do is."

"People come away from this refreshed, delighted, and exhilarated. We welcome the world to experience an unparalleled gathering of thought leaders in settings uniquely tailored to provide global perspectives that inform and empower international, national, regional, and local expression of creative aging" says Greg Finch, NCCA Field Services Director.

The National Center for Creative Aging is dedicated to fostering an understanding of the vital relationship between creative expression and healthy aging, and to developing programs that build upon this understanding.

SOURCE National Center for Creative Aging

Related Links

http://conference2016.creativeaging.org