Abstract
Research on healthy aging practices continues to explore innovative ways of supporting older adults and there is a growing need for understanding how cognitive decline may be associated with the aging process (Rajan, Hebert, Scherr & Evans, 2012; 2013). In examining the long-term association of musical performance attendance on changes in cognitive functioning for older adults, we tested the hypothesis that attendance at live performances (concert, play, or musical) will be associated with slower cognitive decline. This study used a sample of 5,567 older Americans age 65 and older with two or more cognitive assessments over 15 years from the Chicago Health and Aging Project. A linear mixed effects regression model adjusting for demographic variables was used to assess cognitive decline in a biracial population sample of African Americans (AAs) and European Americans (EAs). More frequent arts attendance was associated with a higher level of baseline composite cognitive function among older African Americans and European Americans; this association was almost twice as high among EAs than AAs. Attending 10 or more musical events per year was associated with 15% slower cognitive decline among AAs and 30% slower cognitive decline among EAs. A similar association was observed for change in MMSE among AAs and EAs. Our findings suggest that attending a higher frequency of live performances was associated with slower decline in cognitive function and that attending live performances should be encouraged as a valuable component of arts participation and enrichment in the lives of older adults for its cognitive benefits.