Visual Arts: Elderly

Mr. David Anderson
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to promote art as a way of improving the wellbeing of elderly people.

Margaret Hodge
The arts can play an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of older people. There are many examples of excellent work which promotes art for elderly people across the country. The Arts Council and the Department of Health have jointly published ‘A prospectus for arts and health’ and a ‘Dance and health’ folder, which highlights a range of examples. Copies of these will be placed in the Library of the House.

The Arts Council is also planning to have a specific focus on older people in their next corporate plan.