“Arts on Prescription” (AoP) refers to healthcare professionals formally referring older adults to structured arts activities — from visual arts to music and dance — as a **non-drug approach to support health and well-being. A Journal of Applied Gerontology review finds AoP can reduce loneliness, improve mood and enhance quality of life, but the evidence specifically for older adults remains limited.
Experts note promising mental-health and social benefits but major gaps in research: few studies evaluate whether prescriptions increase actual arts participation, outcomes specific to older adults are often not reported separately, most research lacks rigorous design controls, and many programs involve participants with fewer barriers to care. Read more here.