This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Kelly de la Rocha, Founder of poemRENOVATION, a creative platform that allows people to reimagine poetry by rearranging words from literary passages. Born from her personal experience of using poetry to process emotions, the digital and print-based tool has found remarkable success across generations, particularly in elder care settings. Kelly demonstrates how poemRENOVATION promotes creativity, mental wellness, and meaningful connections, especially for seniors in memory care and independent living communities. Through intergenerational workshops, collaborations with organizations like Opening Minds Through Art, and her passionate approach to creativity, Kelly illustrates that artistic expression knows no age limit. The episode highlights the transformative power of words, the importance of play in aging, and how simple creative exercises can unlock joy, memories, and self-expression for people of all ages. Don’t miss it!

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Origins of poemRENOVATION (1:21)
• Transition to Digital and Tactile Formats (3:13)
• Selecting Daily Passages (4:47)
• Facilitator Training and Memory Care Impact (6:50)
• Entrepreneur in Residence Experience (7:56)
• Observations Across Living Settings (9:07)
• Group Workshops and Creative Sharing (12:27)
• Comparison with Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) (15:38)
• Expanding Intergenerational Connections (19:07)
• Saving, Sharing, and Community-Building (21:23)
• Creativity Through Constraints (22:19)
• Upcoming Symposium and Collaboration (23:28)
• Abundant Aging Questions to Close (25:32)
• Connecting with Kelly and Parting Thoughts (27:37)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com.