“Worth Repeating” is a weekly feature on the EngAGE Blog that will bring you previous posts that we think are still timely, interesting, or just plain fun! From 6/30/15:
The Journal on Active Aging has published an excellent article by Marilynn Arkin, M.A., on Arts Colonies, and we’re delighted that the focus is on the EngAGE flagship communities created and developed by Founder and Executive Director Tim Carpenter. If you want to learn about how and why EngAGE was created and how important our programs are for the health and well-being of seniors, take a few minutes to read this!
Here’s just one of the important observations from Tim in this article:
From an arts colony’s programming perspective, “the biggest challenge is how people in the United States perceive aging and the self-stereotyping that results,” Carpenter reveals. “When you hear negative stereotypes of aging enough times, you start to believe them. So our first job is to undo the effects of that.” He acknowledges that’s not an easy task, especially in Los Angeles. [Ed. The city’s influential entertainment industry is notoriously ageist. For example, actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, 37, was recently told she is “too old” to play the love interest of a 55-year-old man.] “I’m in the heart of darkness here,” Carpenter admits. “But we’re doing all we can in designing our programming to improve perceptions of aging and to let people know they are capable of coming downstairs or walking across a courtyard to take a class.”
When you read what EngAGE programming has accomplished, you’ll see just how much it contributes to changing those perceptions of aging among the general populace and, equally important, among older adults. If you want to learn more about the non-profit EngAGE, Inc., please visit our website at www.engageforlife.org.
