Aging and Creativity

"Not all intellectual functions are preserved with age, but as processing power declines the brain can compensate in ways that actually enhance creativity." Jeffrey Kluger in article in Time, September 23, 2013, The Art of Living

This article stresses the benefits that more mature brains have in the area of creativity.  It cites as examples Grandma Moses, Frank Lloyd Wright, Benjamin Franklin --- all of whom had some of their greatest work in their later years.  The article also reminds us that happiness contributes to a longer life and reduces the chance of illness.  It is good for us to remember that happiness is a choice.  People in very similar situations can either be miserable or happy --- it is personal choice.  Volunteer work also contributes to lower mortality rates; and we, as caregivers, may feel we do quite enough 'volunteering' in the role of caregiver, but I find that other ways to volunteer benefit me.  There are many examples when we look around us of people who are producing notable works of creativity in their later years.  Let's be one of those people.