CREATING LONGEVITY - ART FOR "BEING" OLDER

project

CREATING LONGEVITY – ART FOR “BEING” OLDER

PROPOSING INSTITUTION

ASSOCIAÇÃO SÃO JOAQUIM DE APOIO A MATURIDADE

Community Bonds for a Healthy Aging

AREA

ART AND CULTURE

REGION

CARAPICUIBA – SP

YEAR OF SUPPORT

2024

The Challenge

Brazilians over 60 years old represent 8.6% of the country’s population. In Carapicuíba, the elderly population currently consists of 36,490 residents, accounting for 9.41% of the city’s total population. These residents live in communities facing issues of accessibility, exclusion, and social vulnerability, most of whom are exposed to various social and health risk indicators, presenting a true challenge when it comes to implementing, organizing, and qualifying public policies.

The Project

In light of this scenario, the institution decided to work on preventing isolation, loss of autonomy, and reducing vulnerabilities, aiming to provide dignified, healthy, and active aging for beneficiaries and, indirectly, improve the quality of life for their families. Currently, the “Creating Longevity” project conducts cultural and artistic activities (music, theater, modeling, artistic therapy, visual arts, and handicrafts), directly benefiting 350 elderly individuals at the Community Center in Carapicuíba, SP. Art is utilized to promote socialization, self-knowledge, autonomy, expression, citizenship, and self-esteem. The initiative results in overall health and encourages the participation and empowerment of elderly individuals while preserving Brazilian cultural memory across generations.