Evidence for practice/Research news
This section aims to keep readers up to date with research in dementia care and the current best evidence to support practice. We aim to provide a channel of two-way communication between researchers and practitioners, so that research findings influence practice and practitioners’ concerns are fed into the research agenda.
We welcome contributions such as:
- Information on recently-completed studies that are available to readers
- Notice of the publication (recent or imminent) of peer reviewed research papers with practical relevance to dementia care
- Requests or offers for sharing research information and experience in particular fields of interest
- Short comment on important research papers recently published, drawing readers’ attention to new evidence and key points that should inform practice.
The research papers summarised here are selected for their relevance and importance to dementia care practice by the section editor, Hazel Heath. We welcome suggestions of papers to be included: please contact sue@dementiapublishing.community
Arts on prescription at home (AoP@Home)
This participatory art-based approach involves a professional artist engaging a person with dementia (and their carer) in art-making in their own home. This study evaluated the implementation of AoP@Home in a real-world community aged care context. All participants with dementia reported improvements in their overall health and wellbeing and wellbeing scores improved for all carers. Implementation was feasible using existing government funding mechanisms and programs were acceptable to all stakeholders. The study concludes that it is possible to deliver participatory arts programs for community-dwelling people with dementia and their family, in their home, using sustainable and available funding models. It recommends that such programmes be made more accessible alongside health and care services.
O-Connor CMC, Poulos RG, Heldon M. et al. Implementing Arts on Prescription at Home for people living with dementia: a hybrid-effectiveness feasibility study. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology. Published July 23 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/08919887241267335. Open access.
Arts at home: learning from stakeholders
This study explores experiences of people with dementia and family carers who participated in an Arts on Prescription at Home (AoP@Home) program, artists who delivered the program and the managers who coordinated the programs. Interview highlighted themes of ‘what worked well’, ‘challenges’ and ‘moving forward’. The study concludes that AoP@Home offers important potential for community-dwelling people with dementia who may no longer be able to access group-based community programs. The authors stress that, as AoP@Home is expanded, ongoing implementation monitoring and quality improvement will be essential to ensure maximal applicability of the program across the community aged care sector.
O’Connor CMC, Poulos RG, Heldon M et al. Implementation of an Arts at Home program for people living with dementia: Learnings from key stakeholders. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. Published July 2 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.897. Open access
Collaboration between arts and care sectors
This article reflects on qualitative findings from the Artists’ Residencies in Care Homes (ARCH) programme led by Magic Me, which paired four leading arts organisations with four care homes in Essex who worked together over four years to deliver creative arts for the residents. Building trusted relationships and collaborative working between the artists and care home staff was essential for the success of the residencies and for generating and embedding sustainable creative practice in the homes.
Dadswell A, Wilson C. Bungay H. Sustainable Creative Practice with Older People: A Collaborative Approach between Arts and Care Sectors. Sustainability 2024. 6(9). Published April 24 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093587. Open access.
Improvisational drama workshops
This study sheds new light on causal links and challenges surrounding the impact of improvisational drama workshops on people with dementia and their carers at care facilities. Findings are discussed in the context of key considerations for arts impact: negative impacts, uniqueness of the arts, artistic quality, and long-term outcomes. The authors conclude that sustained efforts can lead to significant long-term outcomes, extending beyond individual behavioural changes to community growth.
Nakamura M, Sejima K, Sakurai K et al. Addressing causality: participatory evaluation on improvisational drama workshops for people with dementia and their carers. Cultural Trends. Publ. online Sept 20 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/09548963.2024.2402863. Open access
Community arts activities
In order to examine the opportunities and barriers to community-based arts activities for people with dementia, this research sought the views of key stakeholders, artists and art planners. Three themes emerged: perceptions and knowledge of dementia, the inherently inclusive qualities of arts, and practical approaches to delivery of the activity. Both artists and art planners felt that understanding motivations and expectations, effective communication, access, and support for themselves and people with dementia were crucial to deliver dementia-inclusive arts in communities. The study concludes that community-based art activities can be inclusive of people living with dementia with empowering design, delivery mode, communication, and access to the activities.
Bazooband A, Courteney-Pratt H, Doherty K, Tierney L. Engaging People with Dementia in Community Art Activities: The Perspective of Art Collaborators. Health and Social Care in the Community. Publ. Aug 1 2024. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/9921792. Open access.
Music psychology and social connections: young onset
In the context of limited interventions aimed at supporting couples affected by young-onset dementia, this pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an online group program for people with young-onset dementia and their care-partners living at home in Australia. The Music And Psychology and Social connections (MAPS) program involved six weekly two-hour sessions co-facilitated by a psychologist and music therapist, and a private Facebook group. The high retention rate, qualitative findings and positive program evaluation suggest MAPS may be a promising, feasible and acceptable program for couples affected by young-onset dementia.
Loi SM, Cadwallader CJ, Baker FA. A mixed methods evaluation of the music and psychology and social connections (MAPS) pilot – A dyadic intervention for couples affected by young-onset dementia. Dementia. Published June 21 2024.
https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012241263151. Restricted access.
Dance Music Therapy
This scoping review sought to better understand the health and well-being outcomes of Dance Music Therapy (DMT)/dance interventions for older adults living with dementia. Most studies reported a positive effect in the outcomes measured. The authors conclude that the overall quality of studies remains low, although both the quantity and quality of studies have recently improved. They conclude that DMT and dance interventions address numerous symptoms of dementia and that the frameworks they applied can serve both as orientation for practitioners and as a point of departure for further interdisciplinary research and policy development.
Cornary C, Koch SC. Dance music therapy and dance interventions for people living with dementia: a PRISMA scoping review on health and well-being outcomes, assessments and interventions. GMS Journal of Art Therapies. Published Sept 9 2024. https://doi.org/10.3205/jat000039. Open access
Museum and art gallery-based heritage activities
This literature review explored primary studies into the effects of museum and art gallery-based heritage activities and programmes on the wellbeing of a range of groups including people living with dementia. The interactive environment of museums had positive health outcomes for people with dementia. The authors conclude that museum art-based interventions may be integrated as part of the non-pharmacological management of people of varying ages experiencing mental health issues, as well as improving the wellbeing of younger and older populations
Fares J. Hadjicosti I, Sonstantinou C. Rethinking culture: a narrative review on the evolving role of museum and art gallery-based heritage activities and programmes on wellbeing. Perspectives in Public Health. Published online Sept 27 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/17579139241268446. Open access
Arts-based risk reduction
This research introduced an arts-based exhibit offering an immersive experience for altering adults’ perceptions of risk reduction and lifestyle behaviours. Results highlight participants’ positive experiences, particularly being engaged by the artistic aspects of the exhibit. This research concluded that arts-based educational initiatives have the potential to advance public understanding and promote behavioural changes for dementia risk reduction.
Connor RA, Catanzaro M, Siette J. “I know now that it’s something that you can do something about”: Deductive thematic analysis of experiences at an arts-based dementia risk reduction exhibit.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Vol 123. Published Aug 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105440. Open access.
Virtual reality creations in art therapy
This study investigated the impact of virtual reality artistic creation on the creativity of individuals with varying degrees of dementia. The participants’ virtual reality artistic creations were collected, and three experts analysed the artistic elements and creativity using the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS). Results indicate that virtual reality artistic creation tools can stimulate creativity in individuals with varying degrees of dementia. However, those with more severe cognitive impairments predominantly engaged in imitative creations, exhibiting lower creative abilities, which suggested a negative correlation between dementia severity and the potential for creative expression.
Fan K-Y, Wu P-F. The artistic elements of virtual reality creations in art therapy for individuals with dementia and suboptimal health. IPRPD International Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 2693-2555 (Online) Volume 05; Issue no 08: Published Aug 2024. https://doi.org/10.56734/ijahss.v5n8a7. Open access
NAPA Arts in Care Homes
The National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) is the UK’s professional association for Activity Providers and activity provision. NAPA’s core mission is to ensure that meaningful activities and person-centred engagement are integral parts of care.
In collaboration with key partners in supporting arts initiatives within care settings, NAPA has produced a series of influential reports and resources, shining a spotlight on the vital role that creative and meaningful activities play in the health and wellbeing of older adults.
One of the key areas of our work is the extensive range of resources we provide, which are designed to support care services to provide varied and engaging activities. These resources cater to diverse needs and preferences, recognising that every individual deserves access to stimulating and person-centred experiences.
Our resources offer practical advice on integrating arts into care settings, demonstrating how creative practices such as painting, storytelling, music, and drama can significantly improve wellbeing. It highlights best practices and showcases successful examples from across the UK, helping care services to make arts a regular and valued part of their care culture.
NAPA has long recognised the importance of professional development. Offering a professional development pathway and a range of accredited training programmes, NAPA ensures that those working in care settings have the skills and confidence needed to deliver high-quality, meaningful activities.
A key highlight of NAPA’s work is the coordination of the Annual National Day of Arts in Care Homes which takes place every year on the 24th September.
The National Day aims to highlight the wellbeing benefits of arts, creativity and cultural engagement. We promote the beneficial outcomes, champion good practice and encourage care settings to develop more creative activities and opportunities.
This National Day, supported by The Baring Foundation and The Rayne Foundation for the last six years, has grown year on year, demonstrating the widespread enthusiasm for incorporating arts into care. It provides an opportunity for care homes to showcase their innovative approaches and for residents to experience the joy and therapeutic benefits of creative expression.
Explore our directory to find skilled professionals who bring creativity, compassion and expertise to care homes, creating a vibrant and stimulating environment through the arts. Whether it’s music, painting, dance or theatre, our facilitators are here to inspire and support meaningful engagement and connection.
For more information and to access resources to support art based activity and engagement visit our website and dedicated National Day webpage.
Further resources
Arts in Care Homes webpage – https://napa-activities.co.uk/arts-in-care-homes/art-in-care-homes
Arts in Care Homes Directory – https://napa-activities.co.uk/arts-in-care-homes/napa-arts-in-care-homes-directory
Managers Guide – https://digital.napa-activities.co.uk/view/766522243/
Arts in Care Homes Evaluation 2023 – https://digital.napa-activities.co.uk/view/944517596/