Turning 55 Made Me Rethink My Purpose – and Now I’m Helping Others Find Theirs

Aging is an inevitable part of life. And yet, our society often fails to notice the value and potential of older adults.

With this societal blind spot ever present, I started wondering where I might find a philanthropic focus which could benefit older adults. As the founder of E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, I spent years supporting arts education for young people — a cause that will always need funding. It was time that I extend my arts support to reach older adults.

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But it wasn't until I turned 55 that I discovered an approach that could offer arts education throughout a lifetime: creative aging. 

Creative aging can open possibilities for older adults and enhance their lives as they age. These programs harness the power of the arts to engage, connect and enrich the lives of older adults. They are not just about filling time — they are about finding purpose, community and joy as we age. Even as I saw first-hand how popular and impactful this approach is, I realized how little attention — and funding — our older population receives.

The arts are not just a tool for young minds; they're a lifeline for us as we grow older.

The numbers paint a clear picture. By 2030, the World Health Organization estimates that one in six people will be over the age of 60. The National Institute on Aging shares that social isolation and loneliness are associated with higher risk of dementia, stroke and heart disease. On top of that, the Gerontological Society of America has shown that older adults who engage in creative activities experience improved mental health, enhanced cognitive function and a greater sense of life satisfaction.

Yet, our society has failed to build enough meaningful opportunities for older adults to stay socially connected and mentally engaged. Social isolation and ageism are persistent issues, and their effects ripple through families, health care systems and entire communities.

Our team at E.A. Michelson Philanthropy created the term "Vitality Arts" to describe the arts learning model we promote within the broader field of creative aging. This type of programming includes multi-session, hands-on, skill-based arts workshops specifically designed for older adults.

In partnership with the nonprofit Lifetime Arts, we've brought this to life with museums, community centers, senior residential communities and teaching artists nationwide to create programs specifically designed for older adults who have been traditionally undervalued.

From painting or drawing classes that foster creativity to storytelling workshops that preserve personal histories to pottery classes that get the hands dirty while clearing the mind, and so many more artistic endeavors, the results are undeniable: participants experience improved mental health, reduced isolation through group learning and a renewed sense of purpose.

We heard the need loud and clear, with one participant saying: "We don't need condescending, 'thumb-twiddling' pastimes. We need community, respect, rigor and real interaction on sophisticated levels with imaginative, involved people who expect us to be the same." To see it in action, take Ardella.

Ardella is a Stage 4 cancer survivor who found herself isolated during the pandemic. One of our grantees, CommonBond Communities, with the expertise of Colin Kloecker, Community Engagement Manager, continued Vitality Arts programs within their senior housing developments. Ardella dove into art classes once residents were released from lockdown to battle her own loneliness. She's learning new creative skills she never thought she would master, while also building bonds with her grandchildren and making friends in her community.

There's also Milan Mockovik, who took Minnesota-based teaching artist Dane Stauffer's storytelling courses for older adults. His introduction to writing had been a new way to stay alive, prying open the door to himself that he'd kept closed without even knowing it. He's kept on writing and is currently pitching his own stories.

Finding ways to bring this vibrancy to more people is critical. Research further supports these anecdotal accounts. A previous study by George Washington University has documented its myriad benefits to the health and wellbeing of older adults. Among them are fewer doctor visits, less medication use and better health outcomes compared to their peers who did not engage in creative art-making activities.

But while the impact is clear, the need for investment is urgent. Programs like Vitality Arts require funding, resources and a shift in mindset at both community and policy levels. We need to stop thinking about arts learning as something mainly for the young. And we need to realize that supporting creative aging isn't just about helping individuals — it's about building more inclusive, vibrant and resilient communities.

I've seen it firsthand. The arts have the power to add not just years to life, but life to years. With the right opportunities, every older adult can discover and embrace their older years — ones that I hope are filled with creativity, connection and purpose.

Ellen A. Michelson is president of E.A. Michelson Philanthropy since 1994. She has received the MacPhail Duet Award from the MacPhail Center for Music, a National Leadership Award from National Guild for Community Arts Education, and a 50 Over 50 award from AARP Minnesota and Arts Funder of the Year by Inside Philanthropy. She divides her time between Minneapolis and New York City. 
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