TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of a visual arts program on quality of life, communication, and well-being of people living with dementia
T2 - a mixed-methods longitudinal investigation
AU - Windle, Gill
AU - Joling, Karlijn J.
AU - Howson-Griffiths, Teri
AU - Woods, Bob
AU - Jones, Catrin Hedd
AU - van de Ven, Peter M.
AU - Newman, Andrew
AU - Parkinson, Clive
PY - 2018/3/1
Y1 - 2018/3/1
N2 - Background:: Research reviews highlight methodological limitations and gaps in the evidence base for the arts in dementia care. In response, we developed a 12-week visual art program and evaluated the impact on people living with dementia through a mixed-methods longitudinal investigation. Methods:: One hundred and twenty-five people living with mild to severe dementia were recruited across three research settings in England and Wales (residential care homes, a county hospital, and community venues). Quantitative and qualitative data on quality of life (QoL), communication and perceptions of the program were obtained through interviews and self-reports with participants and their carers. Eight domains of well-being were measured using a standardized observation tool, and data compared to an alternative activity with no art. Results:: Across all sites, scores for the well-being domains of interest, attention, pleasure, self-esteem, negative affect, and sadness were significantly better in the art program than the alternative condition. Proxy-reported QoL significantly improved between baseline and 3-month follow-up, but no improvements in QoL were reported by the participants with dementia. This was contrasted by their qualitative accounts, which described a stimulating experience important for social connectedness, well-being, and inner-strength. Communication deteriorated between baseline and follow-up in the hospital setting, but improved in the residential care setting. Conclusions:: The findings highlight the potential for creative aging within dementia care, the benefits of art activities and the influence of the environment. We encourage dementia care providers and arts and cultural services to work toward embedding art activities within routine care provision.
AB - Background:: Research reviews highlight methodological limitations and gaps in the evidence base for the arts in dementia care. In response, we developed a 12-week visual art program and evaluated the impact on people living with dementia through a mixed-methods longitudinal investigation. Methods:: One hundred and twenty-five people living with mild to severe dementia were recruited across three research settings in England and Wales (residential care homes, a county hospital, and community venues). Quantitative and qualitative data on quality of life (QoL), communication and perceptions of the program were obtained through interviews and self-reports with participants and their carers. Eight domains of well-being were measured using a standardized observation tool, and data compared to an alternative activity with no art. Results:: Across all sites, scores for the well-being domains of interest, attention, pleasure, self-esteem, negative affect, and sadness were significantly better in the art program than the alternative condition. Proxy-reported QoL significantly improved between baseline and 3-month follow-up, but no improvements in QoL were reported by the participants with dementia. This was contrasted by their qualitative accounts, which described a stimulating experience important for social connectedness, well-being, and inner-strength. Communication deteriorated between baseline and follow-up in the hospital setting, but improved in the residential care setting. Conclusions:: The findings highlight the potential for creative aging within dementia care, the benefits of art activities and the influence of the environment. We encourage dementia care providers and arts and cultural services to work toward embedding art activities within routine care provision.
KW - art
KW - dementia
KW - intervention
KW - longitudinal
KW - mixed-methods
KW - quality of life
KW - well-being
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85034611722&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610217002162
DO - https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610217002162
M3 - Article
C2 - 29113610
SN - 1346-3500
VL - 30
SP - 409
EP - 423
JO - Psychogeriatrics
JF - Psychogeriatrics
IS - 3
ER -