Aging well: Can dance and art keep the mind and body young?

A new report from a National Academies workshop on the arts and ageing warns that the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease will more than double by 2050 to 13.2 million, from about 5.1 million today. The direct cost of their care will soar to $1.1tn (£730bn) from $172bn over the same period. The report looks at various ways the arts may address some of the symptoms of such chronic diseases, as well as the need for more research.

“Most of the studies that have tried to demonstrate these effects haven't really met the rigorous standards of scientific research,” says Lis Nielsen, programme director in the Division of Behavioral and Social Research at the National Institute on Aging (NIA). “In addition, there are very few studies that have had a cost-benefit analysis. So if we want to be able to both fund arts programmes and encourage them to be adopted by the wider community we really need to show there are proven health benefits.”

That is why the NIA is funding new research on ways the arts can help people age more healthfully and maintain their independence longer.