Authors: Carol McDonough & Samantha Bews
Australia

Edition: Volume 65, Number 3, Special Edition, November 2025

Introduction: The focus of this paper is ageing creativity: in community participation settings, in the street and parks, in homes, in residential care, living into medical and allied health functional health maintenance and rehabilitation teaching. Creativity, inherited and absorbed from culture/s, emerges during babyhood for whole of life. We enquire about ageing creativity in Australia. When introduced to new potentials for becoming daily creators of their ageing-selves, can, do, creative pedagogies and potentials teach [ageing] learners how to learn from their unique lcreativity for enhancing their old-age life-stage? The Australian Census of Population shows people are living longer. Whilst some are in care, most are living at home, often, not always assisted by family. A personal illustration is of one assessed for regular services to help staying living independently at home longer. Recipients are given tailored assistance through the Support at Home Program, Australian Aged Care Act, 2024. As well as practical services, one is creative art and music therapy, another social support and cultural engagement. We suggest that for all ages, participation in creative opportunities enhances life and wellbeing, including ageing persons receiving assistance or fully independent.

Keywords: aging, creativity, Australian Age Care Act 2024

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This article is part of AJAL, Volume 65:3 The entire volume is available in .pdf for purchase here.