TY - GEN

T1 - Can an Visual arts programme increase quality of life and well-being in care home residents with dementia?

T2 - British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference, Southampton, 1-3 September 2014.

AU - Algar, Katherine

PY - 2014/9/3

Y1 - 2014/9/3

N2 - As there are no curative treatments as yet for the dementias, it is important to promote well-being and quality of life to improve the lives of those living with the condition now. There is a growing interest in the use of art as a psychosocial intervention for people with dementia. However, the evidence is mixed and has methodological weaknesses. This exploratory study aimed to not only evaluate a visual art programme, but also to suggest a methodology in response to the current challenges in the evaluation of art interventions. This presentation focusses on the use of observation methods.A visual art intervention was run in two North Wales care homes for people with dementia. Fifteen participants were observed using an adapted version of the Greater Cincinnati Chapter Well-Being Observation Tool during three conditions; the art session, another structured activity, and unstructured time. Participants also completed several validated questionnaires before and after the intervention.The results showed a general trend of greater well-being in the art intervention than in the other structured activity and unstructured activity. A trend towards an increase in quality of life after attending the art intervention was also found. The study demonstrated a feasible methodology which could help researchers increase the evidence of the benefits of art interventions in a more rigorous way. Recommendations for future research are suggested.

AB - As there are no curative treatments as yet for the dementias, it is important to promote well-being and quality of life to improve the lives of those living with the condition now. There is a growing interest in the use of art as a psychosocial intervention for people with dementia. However, the evidence is mixed and has methodological weaknesses. This exploratory study aimed to not only evaluate a visual art programme, but also to suggest a methodology in response to the current challenges in the evaluation of art interventions. This presentation focusses on the use of observation methods.A visual art intervention was run in two North Wales care homes for people with dementia. Fifteen participants were observed using an adapted version of the Greater Cincinnati Chapter Well-Being Observation Tool during three conditions; the art session, another structured activity, and unstructured time. Participants also completed several validated questionnaires before and after the intervention.The results showed a general trend of greater well-being in the art intervention than in the other structured activity and unstructured activity. A trend towards an increase in quality of life after attending the art intervention was also found. The study demonstrated a feasible methodology which could help researchers increase the evidence of the benefits of art interventions in a more rigorous way. Recommendations for future research are suggested.

M3 - Conference contribution

BT - 43rd Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology

Y2 - 3 January 0001

ER -